Vladimir Putin has been dealt a massive setback after more than 20,000 soldiers deserted the front line in the war against Ukraine – leaving Kremlin forces even more depleted. Courts have received 20,538 cases of service personnel absent without leave, desertion or refusing orders since the illegal invasion began in February 2022, according to Russian independent news service Mediazone.

The majority – 18,159 – were for soldiers going awol, with 17,721 being prosecuted under Russia’s Criminal Code. The maximum punishment is a 10-year jail term. However, those found guilty could commute their sentences by serving in the Storm-Z convict assault units. In its latest update on the European war, the UK’s Defence Intelligence said: “This all runs counter to the official narrative that the Russian leadership values the military service of those who fight in Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.”

Russia also reportedly lost 10,980 tanks, 22,922 armoured fighting vehicles, 53,593 vehicles and fuel tanks, and 29,718 artillery systems. On top of that, it has lost 1,427 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,190 air defence systems, 420 airplanes, 340 helicopters, 42,796 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

Earlier Defence Intelligence updates said Putin’s army had been “radically altered by the pressures of carrying out operations in Ukraine”, with its capabilities of carrying out complex operations “reversed by substantial losses”.