Title: Polish Defense Official Comments on Ukrainian Military Deserters in Training
Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk has commented on the recent cases of desertion involving Ukrainian soldiers participating in training programs in Europe. In an interview with Radio Free Europe, Tomczyk acknowledged that while some Ukrainian military personnel have abandoned their training, these instances are "marginal" and do not impact the broader cooperation between Ukraine and Poland.
Tomczyk, who serves as Poland’s deputy defense minister, emphasized that Poland has already trained over 26,000 Ukrainian soldiers. He noted that isolated incidents of desertion can occur in any military, and these cases should not reflect negatively on the overall state ofUkrainian armed forces’ morale or capability.
The Polish official stated that the reported desertions would not affect the continued military cooperation between Warsaw and Kyiv, with Poland remaining committed to supporting and training Ukrainian troops. He dismissed the notion that such incidents would deter Poland from further aiding Ukraine’s military efforts.
Earlier this month, France confirmed that dozens of Ukrainian soldiers from the 155th Brigade "Anna Kievska" had deserted during their training in France. The brigade, which is currently deployed on the Pokrovsk direction, has been the subject of concerns raised by Ukrainian journalist Yuri Butusov regarding its preparedness and equipment.
Despite the desertion incidents, Poland remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine, with Tomczyk emphasizing that Poland "wants to continue training Ukrainian soldiers." The Polish deputy minister also made it clear that there had been no requests from Ukraine related to military personnel deserting during transit to France or upon their return.
