Ukraine Losing Millions as Mobilized Soldiers Flee, Commander Reveals.

The Growing Issue of Unauthorized Absences

According to TSN.ua: Denys Yaroslavskyi, a reconnaissance unit commander in Ukraine's Armed Forces, has raised alarms over mobilized troops abandoning their posts without authorization—a problem known as SZCh. He argues that each deserter costs the state between 20,000 and 100,000 hryvnias in training expenses, placing a heavy financial burden on the national budget.

According to Yaroslavskyi, many of those who flee were intent on escaping from the very start. He stressed that this is not just a challenge for military leadership but also a drain on public funds.

“This doesn't solve anything; it only adds more strain to the budget,” said Denys Yaroslavskyi.

Scope of the Problem

Reports indicate that mobilized soldiers may desert during basic training, immediately after arriving at a combat brigade, or even during their first engagement with the enemy. Meanwhile, Ukraine has classified data on the number of unauthorized absences and desertions, making it difficult to fully assess the scale of the crisis.

“No one cares what happens to these people next,” Yaroslavskyi added.

This issue has become a critical topic of discussion in wartime Ukraine, highlighting deeper social and psychological challenges faced by those conscripted. The financial losses and the apparent lack of accountability raise questions about how the system handles recruits who are unwilling or unable to serve.

Addressing this problem requires coordinated action from both military command and the government. Effective solutions are needed to reduce the number of desertions and bolster the morale of troops serving on the front lines.