The Ukrainian “Anne of Kiev” brigade had been trained and equipped in France, at the Mourmelon-le-Grand camp (Marne), last December. Now back on the frontline, it's reportedly already experiencing a wave of desertions within its ranks.

With its soldiers trained in France and high-profile endorsements from the French and Ukrainian presidents, the "Anne of Kyiv" brigade was supposed to be a flagship unit for Ukraine's army.- 'Unique' - French President Emmanuel Macron announced the creation of the Anne of Kyiv brigade -- named after a Middle Ages Kyiv princess that married into the French royal family -- during last year's commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

A French army official confirmed to AFP on Jan. 6 that several dozen Ukrainian soldiers serving in the 155th "Anne of Kyiv" Mechanized Brigade deserted while undergoing military training in France.

Several dozen Ukrainian soldiers deserted while undergoing training in France, AFP reported, citing a French army official.

Several dozen Ukrainian soldiers have deserted while training in France, a French army official told AFP on Monday.

About 1,700 soldiers from a Ukrainian unit equipped by the West and trained in France went AWOL before firing a shot.

Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers deserted during training in France, a representative of the French army informed on Monday in an interview with AFP. - There have been a certain number of desertions, but they are still very marginal,

Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers deserted during training in France, a representative of the French army reported on Monday in an interview with AFP. "There have been a certain number of desertions, but they are still very marginal,