Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers stationed in France for training have reportedly fled their military bases. The apparent desertions come as Kiev faces similar problems at home, where a growing number of troops are abandoning their frontline positions.

According to Newsweek, “Dozens of Ukrainian troops undergoing military training in France have deserted their unit.” An unnamed French military official cited by AFP downplayed the number of soldiers walking off base as “marginal,” and noted that desertion is not a crime in France.

The troops belonged to Ukraine’s 155th ”Anne of Kiev” Mechanized Brigade, dubbed a ”flagship project” of the French military, which has also supplied arms to the unit. Of the brigade’s 5,800 soldiers, around 2,300 were trained on French soil, per Newsweek. Most of its members are ”conscripts with no combat experience,” and the unit has reportedly faced charges of mismanagement.

An investigation by Ukrainian journalist Yuri Butusov found that 1,700 soldiers had deserted the brigade before entering combat, and that at least 50 had left while training in France. He argued that the desertions reflected poor management by military officials, saying they ”continue to waste lives and state funds on new projects, instead of strengthening experienced and combat-ready brigades.”

In comments to the Associated Press last month, one Ukrainian lawmaker estimated about 200,000 desertions on Kiev’s side since the start of the conflict in early 2022. The outlet went on to report that desertion was “starving the Ukrainian army of desperately needed manpower and crippling its battle plans at a crucial time in its war with Russia,” adding that “Entire units have abandoned their posts, leaving defensive lines vulnerable and accelerating territorial losses.”

American officials have claimed that Ukraine’s failures are largely due to manpower issues and have pushed Kiev to reduce the conscription age from 25 to 18. In 2024, it was lowered from 27 to help fill out Ukraine’s military ranks. 

Ukrainian forces have been on the defensive in recent months, with Russian troops now capturing territory at a faster pace. According to the AP, under-equipped Ukrainians fighting in the Russian region of Kursk are now “bloodied and demoralized” following an abortive offensive launched last summer.