Ukrainian Soldiers Desert Brigade Trained in France, Raising Concerns Over Military Preparedness

Dozens of desertions from Ukraine's 'Anne of Kyiv' brigade, trained by France, highlight systemic issues as the war with Russia intensifies.

French officials confirmed that several dozen soldiers from the Ukrainian 'Anne of Kyiv' brigade deserted during their training in France, where desertion is not a criminal offense.
The Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov reported that 1,700 soldiers from the 155th Mechanized Brigade fled before deployment, with 50 deserting while in French barracks.
Ukraine's Land Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapaty acknowledged 'problems' in the brigade's staffing, training, and leadership, which are now under investigation by Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation.
Critics, including Butusov, have accused Ukrainian military leadership of mismanagement, citing chaotic training conditions, equipment shortages, and the reassignment of soldiers to other units to fill gaps.
The desertions reflect broader challenges for Ukraine's military, which faces manpower shortages, high casualty rates, and declining morale as Russian forces maintain numerical and firepower superiority.