Fewer than 1% of over 52,000 Ukrainian soldiers trained in UK fled during exercises
Over the past two and a half years, the United Kingdom has trained more than 52,000 members of the Ukrainian defence forces for participation in the war against Russia. Fewer than 1% of them have gone AWOL and claimed asylum in the UK.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda article Operation Kudu: How Ukrainian soldiers train in the United Kingdom (English translation coming soon)
Quote from Interflex commander Colonel Andy Boardman: "A small number out of more than 52,000 soldiers trained with us over the past two and a half years have fled. It's less than 1%. The vast majority of fighters who come to us are highly motivated and dedicated to their mission."
Details: A senior source in Ukraine's military command told Ukrainska Pravda that only two soldiers went AWOL to claim asylum in the UK during training in 2024, and 12 more have done so since the beginning of 2025.
For reference: Interflex is a programme for training Ukrainian soldiers according to British Army standards.
Background: In early January 2025, it was reported that around 50 soldiers of the 155th Mechanised Brigade Anne of Kyiv deserted during training exercises in France in autumn 2024.
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