In Ukraine, More Exhausted Soldiers Are Abandoning Their Posts

  • Criminal cases for AWOL troops rise sixfold, prosecutor says
  • Frontline soldiers serve indefinitely as reinforcements scarce
Russia Is Trying to Weaponize Winter Against Ukraine, Blinken Says
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On the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Roman Solomonyuk shocked his family when he volunteered to fight. But over two-and-a-half years later, he’s joined the growing number of Ukrainian soldiers who’ve called it quits.

First the 45-year-old dug trenches near the Russian border. Later, he shot down deadly Shahed drones. But then Roman fell out with a heavy-handed officer — and he’s now officially wanted for leaving his unit without permission.