Two AFU instructors were killed after a confrontation with mobilized servicemen at the Desna training center in Chernigov region, Russian security sources told RIA Novosti.

According to the agency’s source, the clash involved mobilized soldiers from the 534th engineering and sapper battalion «Tisa» and AFU instructors. During the conflict, the servicemen killed several instructors, the source said.

Those identified as the main instigators were later transferred to Zhitomir region, near the city of Zvyagel, the source added.

Ukraine has been under general mobilization since February 2022, with the measure extended several times. Initially, men aged 27 to 60 were subject to the draft, but in April 2024 the lower age limit was reduced to 25.

Problems with mobilization in Ukraine have been noted by both local and foreign experts. Videos of street raids and forceful detentions regularly appear on social media, showing military recruitment officers stopping men in public places and taking them away in vehicles. Even these measures have not resolved the shortage of personnel in the AFU.

Unit commanders have also complained about the weak motivation of soldiers brought into the army through forced mobilization. Against this backdrop, the number of desertion cases has been rising, while Western partners continue to press Kiev to secure fresh manpower for the military.