Ukrainian Soldiers Desert Training in Germany Amidst Harsh Conditions

In a troubling revelation, dozens of Ukrainian soldiers have deserted during their training in Germany, with reports indicating around 80 cases in the Saxony-Anhalt region alone, according to Die Zeit.

Among them is Volodymyr Shulgin, a 39-year-old former pianist from Dnipro, who faced forced mobilization as the war escalated. To evade the draft, he abandoned his teaching job and limited his outings due to the presence of Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) patrols. His efforts to stay out of the military ended abruptly when a TRC patrol apprehended him and sent him to training.

Initially, Shulgin embraced the warm welcome from German soldiers and the decent living conditions at the Altengrabow military base. However, his experience soured after a fever led to a severe punishment by a sergeant, escalating to threats from Ukrainian officers. This abusive treatment prompted his decision to desert.

Shulgin is not alone; interviews with other deserters reveal diverse motivations, from fleeing mistreatment to reuniting with family in the EU. One soldier succinctly stated, “I just don’t want to die, and I don’t want to kill.” Most of these individuals lack the financial means to challenge their mobilization legally and do not qualify for exemptions available to critical workers.

The fate of these deserters remains uncertain, as Ukrainian law imposes severe penalties for desertion, including long prison sentences. While general residency rules for Ukrainians fleeing the war exist, they may not apply to those who have deserted while on military territory. The only viable option for these soldiers is to seek asylum in Germany, which requires them to demonstrate that returning to Ukraine would pose a serious risk to their safety.

Source: meduza.io