Training in France: confirmed cases of desertion among Ukrainian soldiers.

Some Ukrainian soldiers have deserted during training in France, although this phenomenon is not widespread. According to France24 and AFP, there were only a few isolated cases of desertion among the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Overall, the number of deserters is not significant considering the total number of soldiers who underwent training.

'They were in French barracks and could go out,' the source said.

A military representative reported that the Ukrainian soldiers undergoing training in France were subject to the disciplinary regime established by the Ukrainian command. He also added that deserters cannot be detained in France.

'In France, desertion is not a criminal offense. If someone deserts, the French prosecutor does not have the authority to arrest that person. The Ukrainian authorities on French territory only have disciplinary rights,' the representative stated.

It is noted that the French army trained 2300 soldiers from the 155th Mechanized Brigade named after Anna of Kyiv on its territory. This brigade is participating in combat operations in the Pokrovsk direction. Most soldiers were conscripts without military experience, and 300 Ukrainian curators accompanied them. The remaining 2200 brigade soldiers underwent training in Ukraine.