Brigade Commander Condemns Desertion as a Betrayal of Fellow Soldiers.

Commanders Voice Concern Over Troop Desertions

According to TSN.ua: Vadym Chernii, commander of the 54th Mechanized Brigade named after Hetman Ivan Mazepa, has expressed serious concern about the negative consequences of soldiers fleeing to a special reserve status. He emphasized that such actions endanger not only the deserters themselves but also their comrades-in-arms. Chernii stated that desertion to the special reserve is a severe violation and he unequivocally opposes it:

"To me, if a soldier flees to the special reserve, he has betrayed, first and foremost, not his commander, but his brothers-in-arms." - Vadym Chernii

Ukraine may impose strict restrictions in March on those evading service by obtaining special reserve status. This issue has gained urgency following the closure of access to data on the number of soldiers who have fled or deserted. The special reserve system, intended for specific categories, has reportedly been misused by some to avoid frontline duty. Chernii noted that sometimes soldiers with no combat experience have evaded duty for unclear reasons:

"I had cases where drivers, who had never seen a trench, went into the special reserve for reasons I cannot understand." - Vadym Chernii

The Critical Need for Societal Justice

The commander stressed the importance of investigating each desertion case individually. He highlighted the crucial need for societal justice, noting that "the main painful issue is the question of societal justice." Chernii also urged those facing improper conduct from their command to report it via hotlines at the Ministry of Defense, the State Bureau of Investigation, or the Security Service of Ukraine to fight for fairness:

• "If, as they say, 'the commander is a butcher,' and so on. Then do not carry out the task—call the hotlines."

The situation with soldier desertions in Ukraine is causing significant alarm among commanders and military leadership, as it threatens overall morale and the combat effectiveness of units. Plans to introduce harsher measures against evaders indicate the authorities' intent to control the situation and ensure military obligations are met. The discussion on societal justice underscores the necessity of upholding soldiers' rights and addressing their grievances, which could help resolve internal army issues.