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Russian Army Faces Growing Desertions in Kherson, Partisan Group Reports
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
A growing wave of desertions is sweeping through Russian units on the Kherson front, signaling deepening demoralization among occupying forces and mounting resistance to frontline deployment.
This was reported by the partisan movement ATESH on October 8.
According to ATESH agents, in just the past week, 36 soldiers from Russia’s 217th Parachute Brigade abandoned their positions. Many are reportedly hiding in abandoned buildings, wooded areas, and private homes, while others are attempting to reach Crimea to permanently escape the combat zone.
Commanders have responded with harsh measures—forming mobile groups to track down deserters, offering cash rewards and leave for their capture, and threatening those detained with field tribunals. However, ATESH notes that these crackdowns have only fueled panic and strengthened soldiers’ determination not to return to the front.
The movement emphasized that the rising number of desertions reflects widespread exhaustion, poor logistics, and collapsing morale within Russian ranks.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian partisan movement ATESH has uncovered yet another instance of abuse within the Russian army.
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According to the group’s report, an agent embedded in the 205th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade—currently operating on the Kherson front—revealed that his company commander had recently confiscated the bank cards of all personnel ahead of their redeployment to the Donetsk region.
ATESH stated that the move reflects growing fear within the Russian command of rising desertion rates, as officers attempt to block soldiers’ access to their own money to prevent them from fleeing.
Earlier, it was reported that Russian soldier deployed on the Kherson front has contacted them, offering intelligence on occupying forces in exchange for a safe evacuation.
