European countries are looking to cut the cost of training Ukrainian troops and prevent soldiers from deserting during their time abroad. Political analyst and European affairs expert Sergey Fedorov, a senior researcher at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told NEWS.ru that these concerns explain the European Union’s plans to send a military training mission directly to Ukraine.

Until now, Ukrainian servicemen have received instruction at military training facilities in France, Britain, Poland and other NATO countries. According to Fedorov, however, this arrangement has proved both expensive and risky for European governments. Many Ukrainian soldiers have abandoned their training programs and stayed in Europe rather than return home.

The analyst pointed to the Ukrainian military’s «Anna of Kiev» brigade as a particularly striking example. Dozens of its members deserted while undergoing training in France, taking advantage of their deployment abroad to remain in Europe.

Fedorov believes European governments are no longer willing to spend money supporting Ukrainian deserters. Instead, they are prepared to move military training facilities onto Ukrainian territory, even at the risk of Russian attacks. He warned that the new camps would likely become targets for Russian missiles and drones.