Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have opened almost 290,000 criminal cases for desertion and desertion since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. The information comes from the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine.
From January 2022 to September 2025, 235,646 cases of desertion and 53,954 cases of desertion were registered. A sharp increase has been observed since September 2024. During this period, almost 176,000 cases of voluntary desertion were filed, and about 24,000 - of desertion.
Escape from the army has become the most widespread crime in Ukraine
In November 2024, a mechanism was introduced in Ukraine, thanks to which servicemen can return to service without punishment if they left their unit for the first time or deserted. However, the effect of this mechanism turned out to be ambiguous: on the one hand, over 29,000 soldiers returned to the troops, and on the other hand, the number of voluntary desertions and desertions increased.
As early as 2024, desertion from the army became the most widespread crime in Ukraine, surpassing theft and fraud for the first time in history.
During martial law in Ukraine, voluntary desertion is punishable by five to ten years in prison, and desertion by five to 12 years.