🇷🇺💥🇺🇦 About 30 foreign mercenaries and 6 pieces of equipment were destroyed by a missile strike at a temporary deployment point near the city of Sumy in Ukraine, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

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🇷🇺⚔️🇺🇦 Ukraine’s military is facing challenges with low morale and increasing desertions, especially within infantry units in the east, near Pokrovsk, according to Ukrainian commanders and officers interviewed by CNN.

Six Ukrainian officers, either currently serving or recently departed from their units, confirmed that desertion and insubordination are becoming more frequent among newly mobilized soldiers. Officer Dima, a former commander, resigned after sustaining heavy losses in his unit, stating he couldn’t bear to see more of his men die. He reported that more than half of the 800 soldiers under his command were killed or seriously wounded.

The prolonged two-and-a-half-year conflict with Russia has taken a toll on Ukrainian troops, severely depleting their numbers. Reinforcements have been inconsistent, contributing to demoralization. The front lines, in particular, have been extremely challenging, with Ukrainian units under constant shelling and drone attacks.

Frontline commanders report that many newly mobilized soldiers refuse to return after their first rotation. “They either abandon their positions or seek ways to leave the army,” said one anonymous commander.

“Not all mobilized soldiers desert, but many do. When new recruits arrive, they quickly realize how tough it is here. They encounter enemy drones, artillery, and mortar fire. After their first experience, if they survive, many don’t come back. They either refuse to fight, leave their posts, or look for ways to exit the military,” said a unit commander currently stationed in Pokrovsk.

Officer Serhiy Tsekhotsky from the 59th Motorized Infantry Brigade noted that soldiers are meant to rotate every three to four days, but the enemy's heavy use of drones has made movement difficult. In some cases, soldiers have had to stay in position for up to 20 days.

According to the Ukrainian parliament, nearly 19,000 criminal cases were filed in the first four months of 2024 against soldiers who deserted or abandoned their posts. However, the actual number is likely higher, as many commanders attempt to handle these cases informally, persuading soldiers to return to duty without formal punishment.

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