Frontline Ukrainian soldiers say the army needs more recruits to replace troops fighting for months or even years without a break. Not enough new soldiers are being trained And brought in.
- Some troops have been fighting since Russia’s full invasion over two years ago
- Ukraine is trying to get more men to sign up, widening the conscription age
- But soldiers say inexperienced recruits could struggle on the frontlines
- Officials aren’t being upfront about how complex and lengthy the deployments can be
Endless Fighting on the Frontlines
Under trees in the spring, an artillery unit waits for orders. Their commander says some men have been fighting for a long time without relief. As Russian forces inch closer, they’re stuck in place, waiting for ammunition from the US.
Last year, Ukraine was gearing up for a counter-offensive. But this year is different – they’re bracing for potential new Russian attacks. The expected ammo will help, but Ukraine also badly needs more troops.
Struggling to Recruit and Train Soldiers
Alexander, a radio operator living in a bunker, says Ukraine needs more than just higher recruitment numbers. He worries that inexperienced new soldiers thrown into the chaos could face heavy casualties while trying to “hold the line.”
Medic Ilia says officials mislead recruits about the reality – of being deployed indefinitely to brutal frontline conditions with little training. He thinks there should be limits on the most challenging assignments.
Building Trust in the Recruitment System
Ukrainian MP Inna Sovsun, a soldier’s partner, believes there are enough potential recruits to rotate fresh troops to the front. She says: “There are more people not serving than those serving – the ratio is much bigger than one-to-one.”
But Inna understands the fears, saying her partner’s deployment causes constant anxiety about his safety. Officials are trying to restore trust and get more men to enlist amid the workforce shortages.
Looking Ahead
As the fighting grinds, Ukraine faces tough challenges getting enough well-trained, rested soldiers to the frontlines. Will increasing conscription and rotating deployments provide the workforce needed? Or will persistent shortages put immense strain on Ukraine’s beleaguered forces?
