Since the start of Russia’s war of aggression, Ukraine has repeatedly sent soldiers to Germany for training. According to an investigation by “Zeit”, many of them use the stay to desert. The Interior Ministry of Saxony-Anhalt reports more than 80 cases; nationwide, the number is said to be in the hundreds.
The training program includes shooting, camouflage, first aid, and other basics. Since 2022, around 29,000 Ukrainians have completed such training in Germany – not all of them returned afterwards.
The Defense Ministry confirmed to “Zeit” that Ukrainian soldiers have “occasionally absented themselves”. Under Ukrainian law, unauthorized absence from the unit is considered desertion and can be punished with up to twelve years in prison.
The chances that the deserters can stay in Germany are uncertain. The simplified residence rules for Ukrainian war refugees explicitly do not apply to soldiers who were sent for training.
Source: www.welt.de
