As Putin struggles to find new troops, an investigation shows the true proportions of desertion in the Russian armed forces.

Massive casualties are not the only reason the Russian armed forces struggle with the shortage of troops in the war against Ukraine – desertion may play a big role too. As Russia has classified all information about its military and security personnel, as well as some civilian professionals, a new investigation offers a glimpse into the true proportions of desertion in Russia.

Vazhnye Istorii (IStories), an independent media outlet, says that more than a thousand servicemen — an entire regiment — fled from the 20th Division of the Russian army during the war, including a major and two lieutenant colonels.

More to read:
Pentagon intends to build an army of undetectable deepfake troops

The 20th Motorized Rifle Guards Division is stationed in Volgograd, some 350 kilometers from Ukrainian border and more than 400 kilometers from the frontline, and has largely avoided participation in the fighting. Yet, it suffered a massive desertion as 1,010 privates, non-commissioned and commissioned officers have fled their units since spring 2022 till spring 2024.

Among the deserters, there are 858 contract soldiers, 150 mobilized personnel, and two conscripts. The fugitives among commissioned officer ranks include 26 junior officers, a major, and two lieutenant colonels.

The numbers are backed by classified documents dated until April 2024 and obtained by IStories from sources in recruitment centers and whistleblowers. As a Russian division typically counts between 4,500 and 22,000 men, which means that the number of deserters – 1,010 – represents between 4.59% and 22.4% of the division's personnel. The median average of this range is approximately 13.5%.

More to read:
Russia calls on women to serve in the army alongside men

The documents are mostly formal requests filed by the division's command to regional military authorities across Russia for locating the fugitives. The findings by IStories reveals the true scale of desertion in the Russian army during the war.

However, the desertion phenomenon may be underestimated as the rate of fleeing is commonly higher in the war zone.

The outlet notes that some deserters have returned to their barracks voluntarily to avoid punishment and repressions against their families, others have been busted by police after committing crimes.

More to read:
[videos] Russian army’s regular unit believed to take Wagner side

IStories talked to a deserter who introduced himself as Mikhail. He fled his unit after being wounded in combat, hiding in Russia for 18 months before emigrating to a European country. He’s now waiting for an asylum interview.

The shortage of troops for the war in Ukraine has determined Russian leader Vladimir Putin to ask military personnel from North Korea, whose solders have been spotted in fighting in the Kursk region. As many as 10,000 North Koreans are believed to be deployed at Moscow’s disposal.

***
NewsCafe is an independent outlet that cares about big issues. Our sources of income amount to ads and donations from readers. You can support us via PayPal: office[at]rudeana.com or paypal.me/newscafeeu, or https://buymeacoffee.com/newscafe . Any amount is welcome.