Military Intel: Over 18,000 Troops from Russian Southern District Have Deserted

The increasing number of desertions among soldiers from Russia's Southern Military District highlights the ongoing issue of low morale within the Russian Armed Forces engaged in the conflict in Ukraine. The significant number of desertions, totaling over 18,000 soldiers, is a cause for concern for Russian military leadership. The fact that a large portion of these deserters belong to the 8th Combined Arms Army, a unit frequently involved in hostilities in eastern Ukraine, further underscores the challenges faced by Russian troops on the ground.

The presence of both conscripts and contract soldiers among the deserters indicates that the issue of low morale is widespread within the Russian military. The circumstances surrounding these desertions remain unclear, but it is evident that many soldiers are choosing to abandon their posts rather than continue fighting in Ukraine.

The U.K. Defense Ministry's assessment that Russian troops in Ukraine primarily consist of contract soldiers and mobilized reservists, with conscripts often coerced into signing contracts, sheds light on the composition of the Russian forces in the region. President Zelensky's claim that Moscow is preparing to mobilize 300,000 soldiers by June further emphasizes the scale of the conflict and the challenges faced by both sides.

In response to the increasing desertions, Kyiv has actively encouraged Russian soldiers to desert or defect to the Ukrainian side. The establishment of a hotline by the Ukrainian military intelligence service to assist Russian soldiers willing to surrender demonstrates Kyiv's efforts to capitalize on the low morale within the Russian ranks.

Overall, the high number of desertions among Russian soldiers in Ukraine reflects the complex dynamics at play in the conflict and the challenges faced by both sides as they continue to engage in hostilities.