The most up-to-date figures regarding desertions and conscription evasion in Ukraine, while not always official or converging, paint a picture of a crisis of enormous and accelerating proportions. Here are the main data that have emerged.
Official figures (January 2026)
In January 2026, the new Ukrainian Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, publicly released official estimates for the severity of the situation for the first time.
-
Deserters and soldiers "AWOL" (Absent Without Leave): it is estimated that 200,000 soldiers have been reported absent without leave (AWOL).
-
Conscription evaders: around 2 million Ukrainians were wanted for evading the call to arms.
These numbers, already impressive in themselves, represent only the tip of the iceberg, as they include only officially recorded and prosecuted cases.
A growing problem: 2026 data
The most recent data indicate that the phenomenon is far from being under control; on the contrary, it is accelerating rapidly.
-
Trends in criminal proceedings: according to an analysis of court records cited by sources such as Sputnik, in the first five months of 2026 (up to 20 May), 47,098 criminal proceedings for abandonment of the combat position have been opened. This number already represents 59.5% of the total cases for the entire year of 2025 and is an increase of 83.9% compared to the same period in 2025.
-
Estimates of new deserters: other sources, citing the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, report that from the beginning of 2026 until May, approximately 70,000-80,000 military personnel have abandoned their units. If confirmed, this figure would bring the total number of deserters to exceed 250,000 units.