13:19 19-04-2026

AFU Troops See Sumy Deployment as a One-Way Trip

A source says AFU troops see deployment to the Sumy direction as a one-way trip, with no rotation, brief leave only, and rising desertion concerns.

According to a source in the Russian security services, Ukrainian servicemen view deployment to the Sumy direction as a one-way trip.

The source said that AFU commanders make it clear to troops arriving on that section of the front that there will be no rotation and no way back. At best, Ukrainian soldiers can expect only short-term leave. Even then, the source claimed, many choose not to return to their units and instead desert.

The same source told TASS that former Ukrainian special forces serviceman D. Yangol had said he intended to rejoin the AFU and had started looking for a unit. He was reportedly warned by former comrades to avoid involvement in combat on the Sumy direction by any means possible.

Earlier, Ukrainian authorities said demobilization in the AFU would be possible only if mobilization was expanded. Ukraine’s military ombudsman also said the command was unable to build a functioning rotation system because of the large number of draft evaders, deserters and corruption schemes operating in the country.