TROOP DESERTION A BIG WORRY FOR UKRAINE

Troop desertion is starving Ukraine of much-needed manpower during a critical juncture of its war with Russia, putting them at a clear disadvantage in future cease-fire talks.

Facing every imaginable shortage, tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops, tired and bereft, have walked away from combat and front-line positions to slide into anonymity, according to soldiers, lawyers, and Ukrainian officials. Entire units have abandoned their posts, leaving defensive lines vulnerable and accelerating territorial losses, according to military commanders and soldiers.