Several dozen Ukrainian soldiers undergoing training in France are reported to have deserted, although the phenomenon has not been widespread.

Source : French news agency AFP, citing a French army official, as reported by European Pravda

Details : The official noted that "there have been a certain number of desertions, but they remain very marginal given the volume of people who have undergone training".

"They were in French barracks, they had the right to go out," he added.

The 155th Mechanised Brigade named after Anna of Kyiv, currently deployed on the Pokrovsk front, has undergone training in France. [Anna of Kyiv was a princess of Kyivan Rus who became Queen of France in 1051 upon marrying King Henry I – ed.]

Background :

• Ukrainian journalist Yurii Butusov claimed at the end of December 2024 that the brigade had been improperly formed and supplied, citing problems with personnel, equipment and ammunition, which has caused it to suffer losses.
• Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation later confirmed it was conducting an investigation into charges of abuse of power and desertion.
• According to Butusov, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took the situation with the 155th Brigade under his personal control during a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff.

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