Disaster for Putin as more than 20,000 Russian soldiers go awol in Ukraine

Vladimir Putin has been dealt a massive setback after more than 20,000 soldiers deserted the front line in the war against Ukraine - leaving Kremlin forces even more depleted. Courts have received 20,538 cases of service personnel absent without leave, desertion or refusing orders since the illegal invasion began in February 2022, according to Russian independent news service Mediazone.

The majority - 18,159 - were for soldiers going awol, with 17,721 being prosecuted under Russia's Criminal Code. The maximum punishment is a 10-year jail term. However, those found guilty could commute their sentences by serving in the Storm-Z convict assault units. In its latest update on the European war, the UK's Defence Intelligence said: "This all runs counter to the official narrative that the Russian leadership values the military service of those who fight in Russia's illegal war in Ukraine."

It said there was a range of factors that could be causing Kremlin soldiers to desert, including the "brutal discipline" in Putin's army, and the poor medical treatment for those injured.

It also pointed to "inadequate military training", saying: "A contract soldier could arrive at the front lines from within 14 days of signing a contract and receive only five days of relevant military training."

Russia has suffered heavy casualties since the war began, on some days losing over 1,000 fighters in brutal war battles.

Earlier this month, the General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces claimed more than one million Russians had been killed in the conflict since its beginning, damaging morale and plunging Moscow into economic crisis.

Russia also reportedly lost 10,980 tanks, 22,922 armoured fighting vehicles, 53,593 vehicles and fuel tanks, and 29,718 artillery systems. On top of that, it has lost 1,427 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,190 air defence systems, 420 airplanes, 340 helicopters, 42,796 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

Earlier Defence Intelligence updates said Putin's army had been "radically altered by the pressures of carrying out operations in Ukraine", with its capabilities of carrying out complex operations "reversed by substantial losses".