Frankfurt (Germany), Aug. 20 (LaPresse) – They were sent to Germany for training and then to return to fight in Ukraine, but many Ukrainian soldiers allegedly took advantage of their stay to desert. This is what emerges from an investigation by the German newspaper Die Zeit, as reported by Bild, according to which there are reportedly hundreds of cases nationwide. In the state of Saxony-Anhalt alone, the Interior Ministry reported around 80 cases. According to Die Zeit, the Bundeswehr is currently training Ukrainian military personnel at around 60 facilities in Germany. The programs include shooting exercises, camouflage, first aid and other basic skills, similar to those provided for German recruits. Since 2022, around 29,000 Ukrainian military personnel are said to have completed a period of training in Germany. Not all of them, however, are said to have returned to Ukraine. The German Defense Ministry confirmed to Die Zeit that some Ukrainian soldiers “left” the facilities without authorization, while specifying that it does not have an overall nationwide figure. In Saxony-Anhalt, among the roughly 80 cases reported by the Interior Ministry is that of a soldier who fled from the Altengrabow training area. According to Ukrainian law, Zeit recalls, unauthorized absence from a unit may constitute the crime of desertion, punishable, in the event of conviction, by years in prison. However, it is unlikely that soldiers who have left the service will end up before a court in Ukraine. Deserters also cannot automatically rely on the simplified residence rules provided by Germany for Ukrainian refugees. These provisions apply to people forced to leave the country because of the Russian invasion, and not to soldiers sent to Germany for training. However, they can still apply for asylum. Applicants would have to credibly demonstrate that, if they returned to Ukraine, they would risk their lives or physical integrity or face persecution for political reasons. The chances of obtaining protection are considered limited, but the procedure could nevertheless allow them to remain temporarily in Germany: according to Zeit, an asylum procedure lasts an average of about one year and often even longer. According to the German newspaper, hundreds of Ukrainian military personnel who deserted in Germany are therefore hoping to remain in the country through the asylum procedure.
Ukraine, Zeit: hundreds of soldiers desert after training in Germany
Frankfurt (Germany), Aug. 20 (LaPresse) – They were sent to Germany for training and then to return to fight in Ukraine, but many Ukrainian soldiers allegedly took advantage of their stay to desert. This is what emerges from an investigation by the German newspaper Die Zeit, as reported by Bild, according to which there are reportedly hundreds of cases nationwide. In the state of Saxony-Anhalt alone, the Interior Ministry reported around 80 cases. According to Die Zeit, the Bundeswehr is currently training Ukrainian military personnel at around 60 facilities in Germany. The programs include shooting exercises, camouflage, first aid and other basic skills, similar to those provided for German recruits. Since 2022, around 29,000 Ukrainian military personnel are said to have completed a period of training in Germany. Not all of them, however, are said to have returned to Ukraine. The German Defense Ministry confirmed to Die Zeit that some Ukrainian soldiers “left” the facilities without authorization, while specifying that it does not have an overall nationwide figure. In Saxony-Anhalt, among the roughly 80 cases reported by the Interior Ministry is that of a soldier who fled from the Altengrabow training area. According to Ukrainian law, Zeit recalls, unauthorized absence from a unit may constitute the crime of desertion, punishable, in the event of conviction, by years in prison. However, it is unlikely that soldiers who have left the service will end up before a court in Ukraine. Deserters also cannot automatically rely on the simplified residence rules provided by Germany for Ukrainian refugees. These provisions apply to people forced to leave the country because of the Russian invasion, and not to soldiers sent to Germany for training. However, they can still apply for asylum. Applicants would have to credibly demonstrate that, if they returned to Ukraine, they would risk their lives or physical integrity or face persecution for political reasons. The chances of obtaining protection are considered limited, but the procedure could nevertheless allow them to remain temporarily in Germany: according to Zeit, an asylum procedure lasts an average of about one year and often even longer. According to the German newspaper, hundreds of Ukrainian military personnel who deserted in Germany are therefore hoping to remain in the country through the asylum procedure.