Over 4,500 Russian soldiers desert 58th Army fighting in Southern Ukraine

Russian units engaged in combat against Ukraine’s Defense Forces in the Orikhiv sector are experiencing widespread desertion.

Vladyslav Voloshyn, Spokesperson for the South Defense Forces, said this in a comment to Ukrinform.

“According to our intelligence, the Russian 58th Combined Arms Army of the Southern Military District is operating against us in this sector (the Orikhiv sector of the front — ed.). Within this formation alone, more than 4,500 soldiers have deserted their units and are currently on the run,” Voloshyn said.

He added that this reflects a growing morale crisis among Russian troops in southern Ukraine.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on October 19 Ukrainian Defense Forces recorded 168 combat engagements with Russian invaders along the front line.