Over 18,000 Russian troops of Southern Military District have deserted
Soldiers of Russia's Southern Military District, whose units are deployed in Ukraine, are deserting their posts in increasing numbers, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) said on April 29. According to many observers, low morale has been a recurring problem for the Russian Armed Forces fighting in Ukraine. Over 18,000 soldiers of the Southern Military District have allegedly deserted, with around 12,000 of them belonging to the 8th Combined Arms Army – a unit often deployed in hostilities in eastern Ukraine. Of this number, around 10,000 are mobilized conscripts and 2,000 contract soldiers, the military intelligence agency said.
The U.K. Defence Ministry said earlier in April that Russian troops in Ukraine are mainly staffed with contract soldiers and reservists mobilized in late 2022, but conscripts are often pressured to sign contracts. In the Russian 58th Combined Arms Army, the desertion rate is at around 2,500 troops, according to the agency's statement.
https://kyivindependent.com/military...have-deserted/