AFP: Dozens of Russian troops 'flee unit, fearing Ukraine deployment'
Moscow (AFP) - Dozens of Russian soldiers are facing trial for fleeing their unit, fearing deployment to Ukraine, a news site and a lawyer for five of the men said Saturday.
The popular Gazeta.ru website said several dozen soldiers would be prosecuted after fleeing a training ground in southern Russia where they were under pressure to "volunteer" to fight in Ukraine.
The troops had freely enlisted for the army and are not draftees, it said.
It is the latest report to allege Russian soldiers are being sent to eastern Ukraine despite Moscow's insistence that only "volunteers" are fighting alongside the pro-Russian separatists.
Update: Reports: Russian troops leave unit fearing Ukraine deployment -- Deutsche Welle
WNU Editor: Talk about coincidences .... while preparing this post I then came across this news story .... US soldiers opposed to war now find Canada less hospitable (AP).