Zaluzhny recognized mass desertion in the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny acknowledged that mass desertion is observed in the Ukrainian troops. He wrote on his Telegram channel that he supports the changes in the legislation adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to increase responsibility for unauthorized departure from the place of service or from the battlefield, refusal to act with weapons and for non-compliance with military orders.

“My opinion clearly reflects the position of the commanders of groups and military units, who demanded a systematic solution to this set of issues,” Zaluzhny said in a statement, who also asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to sign this law.

He called unfair the situation when “refuseniks” can simply pay a fine of up to 10% of combat payments or receive a punishment with a trial.

“Naked sections of the front are forced to cover other military personnel, which leads to an increase in losses of personnel and territories,” Zaluzny also writes.

He added that the lost positions have to be restored by assault actions “at a very high price.”

According to Zaluzhny, in peacetime it would be possible to solve this problem by explanation and persuasion. “In the conditions of war, quick effective decisions are needed,” the Ukrainian commander-in-chief emphasizes.

Zaluzhny once again noted that he recognizes the existence of problems that lead to spontaneous care and assured that he is working to eliminate them. He also called it normal in a democratic state to discuss such sensitive topics in public. At the same time, Zaluzhny now called for an end to this discussion so that it does not harm the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Note that Zaluzhny’s statement was published after a petition asking Zelensky to veto a bill to increase liability for desertion gained more than 25,000 votes per day.

The bill provides for punishment from 5 to 8 years in prison for failure to comply with the order, and for unauthorized abandonment of the unit – arrest up to 15 days or a fine of up to 1,000 tax-free minimums. In addition, during martial law, Ukrainian servicemen will be tested for alcohol and mind-altering drugs throughout the country, even on vacation and at home.