Desertions Spark Panic, And Pardons, In Ukraine's Army

Oleksandr left his unit without permission after six months of hard fighting, but later returned to the army (Credit: AFP)

Oleksandr deserted from the front line in eastern Ukraine after watching his fellow servicemen being pulverised by Russian bombardments for six months. Then, those remaining were ordered to counterattack.

It was the final straw for Oleksandr, 45, who had been holding the line in the embattled Lugansk region in the early months of the war. Even his commanding officer was reluctant to send his men back toward what looked like certain death.