Yes, it seems impossible to try to guess what he will do? But even without US aid, Ukraine will still receive much aid from other countries, and Ukraine's economy is doing much much better than Russia. 15 days to go before Trump is inaugurated.

If I had to make a guess, it seems like Putin isn't willing to negotiate, and it might be Trump's best bet to continue or even increase aid to Ukraine to save face, when it turns out peace negotiations are going nowhere.

But that's probably just me trying to rationalize what I hope for.

[–] rottingleaf 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

I've read one of the loudest recent cases is a brigade most of the personnel of which was sent to train in France.

I suppose a lot of those are kids of rich parents or something like that, picked for that for a bribe, and they probably expected war to end before they return.

It can be that similar dynamics affect other units with lots of desertions, but that's just guessing from news.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It's not just that one unfortunately. It's likely at around 100.000 deserters now, and half of that were from 2024 alone.

https://english.elpais.com/international/2024-10-14/alarm-in-ukraine-over-increasing-number-of-army-deserters.html

[–] rottingleaf 3 points 2 days ago

I think people doing that for reasons from the article should be allowed to return as instructors. If there are enough new people to instruct, that is, but for that one can try attracting more foreign volunteers. With money if possible. And yes, to have longer leaves, therapy.

Anyway, rotation is a thing. It also involves putting less (mentally too) weary units to harder roles.

Also people incapable of fighting due to injuries can probably be still fit to serve in AD, or as remote drone operators (not how they do it from the neighboring field, but from far away). I guess droid armies are still not today's reality, but they should work both on morale and on reducing further casualties.