What motivates soldiers like Oleksandr to desert?

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Soldiers Desert Due to Intense Combat Stress, Lack of Experience, and Unclear Service Terms

Soldiers like Oleksandr are deserting the front lines in Ukraine due to a confluence of factors, primarily stemming from the immense psychological toll of sustained Russian bombardments, a lack of prior combat experience, and a desire for clearer terms of service. Many, described as ordinary working people from villages, feel ill-equipped for the harsh realities of war and prioritise their will to live over continuing in situations perceived as certain death. The growing number of desertions and cases of absence without leave, exceeding 90,000 since the invasion, underscores significant manpower challenges within the Ukrainian military, contributing to territorial losses.
Intense Combat and Psychological Strain Lead to Desertion

The prolonged exposure to relentless Russian bombardments, often lasting months, creates an unsustainable level of stress that severely damages soldiers' mental states. Oleksandr, for instance, deserted after six months of intense shelling and an order to counterattack, a situation even his commanding officer found perilous. Similarly, Buch, a 29-year-old soldier, initially deserted after being wounded due to the cumulative psychological damage of constant shelling and stress, describing how soldiers can "go crazy step by step." This persistent high-stress environment, coupled with the physical hardship of prolonged trench warfare—being "knee-deep in mud, cold and hungry"—contributes significantly to soldiers' decisions to leave their units.
Lack of Combat Experience and Motivation Among Recruits

A substantial number of Ukrainian soldiers drafted into service are described as ordinary individuals with no prior combat experience, who were previously engaged in civilian professions. Oleksandr highlighted that he and his fellow soldiers were "just ordinary working people from villages" with no combat experience, whose primary motivation was simply to survive. This lack of preparedness for the brutal nature of warfare, as opposed to cinematic portrayals, leaves many feeling overwhelmed and ill-equipped to handle the intense demands of the front lines, leading to a higher propensity for desertion when faced with overwhelming odds or perceived futility.
Unclear Service Terms and Indefinite Deployment Fuel Discontent

Concerns over indefinite service terms without clear end dates or conditions have also emerged as a significant motivator for soldiers to leave their posts. The case of Sergiy Gnezdilov, a 24-year-old serviceman, exemplifies this, as he announced he was going absent without leave until "clear terms of service are established or until my 25th birthday." This sentiment reflects a broader dissatisfaction among troops regarding the lack of defined service durations, especially after prolonged periods of deployment, contributing to a growing trend of soldiers leaving without permission.
Guilt and Societal Pressure Drive Some Soldiers to Return

Despite the initial motivations for desertion, guilt and a sense of obligation have compelled some soldiers, like Oleksandr and Buch, to return to the front lines. After spending time at home, Oleksandr's guilt mounted as he witnessed young Ukrainians enlisting and wounded soldiers returning to battle, ultimately motivating his decision to rejoin the army despite his family's concerns. Buch was also motivated by guilt to return to his unit. This internal conflict, coupled with legislative efforts like amnesty for first-time offenders who voluntarily return and some brigades welcoming back absent servicemen, indicates a complex dynamic of soldiers grappling with their choices and a military attempting to address manpower shortages.

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What motivates soldiers like Oleksandr to desert?

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