Ukrainian MP reports desertion rates in brigades have dropped sharply — by up to 90% in some units.

Positive shifts in Ukraine’s Armed Forces

According to Novyny.live: Ukrainian lawmaker Ruslan Horbenko has reported a notable improvement in the issue of unauthorized absence (AWOL) within the country’s military brigades. He highlighted that commanders are now showing greater care for their troops, with better training and psychological support. As a result, AWOL statistics have fallen dramatically in certain units, with some brigades seeing a reduction of up to 90%.

'The spirit in the army is changing, and the military is being restructured.' — Ruslan Horbenko

Horbenko emphasized that these changes are driven by an improved morale and psychological environment across brigades. When speaking with soldiers who had previously left their posts, many acknowledged the positive transformation. 'In some cases, the AWOL rate has dropped by 90%,' he added.

Expanding drone capabilities

Beyond personnel reforms, Ukraine’s military is set to double its unmanned systems power this year. In the Ground Forces, each brigade will increase its drone units to the equivalent of two battalions. This upgrade is expected to strengthen overall army readiness and enhance combat effectiveness.

'When you ask, “Are these the same guys who were forcibly conscripted?” they say, “Yes, about 70% of those picked up by recruitment teams are sent to certain brigades.”' — Ruslan Horbenko

These developments — better command attitudes combined with advanced technical resources — could serve as key factors in boosting morale and further reducing unauthorized absence rates.

These reports reflect the Ukrainian military’s ongoing efforts to improve service conditions and raise fighting spirit among personnel. The sharp decline in AWOL incidents suggests that new leadership and management approaches are proving effective. Meanwhile, the expansion of drone systems promises to significantly enhance operational capabilities — a critical advantage in modern combat.