• The Russian army is facing a desertion crisis as it continues to use waves of soldiers to attack Ukrainian defensive positions.
  • A UN special rapporteur stated in September that at least 50,000 Russian soldiers have deserted since 2022.
  • The group “Idite Lesom” helps soldiers desert; 60% of deserters remain in Russia “under the radar”.
  • Soldiers are often recruited with false promises of safe jobs or tricked into signing contracts.
  • Oleg, a 24-year-old diagnosed with schizophrenia, signed a contract thinking he was going to a safe job but was sent to the front.

Sources & Links