As the war drags on, Ukraine needs more soldiers but there are almost no volunteers left

The predicament with foreign troops in the Ukrainian Armed Forces stems from their unfamiliarity with this conflict’s nature, notably distinct from their experiences during the Cold War era and post-Soviet period. Unlike localized conflicts where individuals could excel as well-paid specialists or small groups with manageable risks, this is a major conflict involving regular armies, where sheer numbers hold utmost importance. This is reported by CNN.

Furthermore, these foreign “experts” never signed up for a war entailing aerial bombings and prolonged heavy artillery shelling. In such circumstances, expecting enthusiasm from these individuals, regardless of their daily wage, combat experience or equipment value, would be unreasonable. The situation for Ukrainian citizens is much worse. They cannot simply refuse a contract. Mobilization in Ukraine is compulsory and many people are drafted into the army despite their poor health. Those eager to volunteer for service have likely already done so, leaving those who are reluctant to serve voluntarily. If someone hasn’t come under the military’s radar by 16-18 months into the conflict, they probably hope to evade conscription for the subsequent 18 months.

Observing the situation, there seems to be a significant shortage of military personnel, at times reaching a critical level. Moreover, diverse military roles demand varying skills; some physical, others intellectual, reflecting the array of individual capabilities. However, when individuals realize the potential of deployment to a war zone, the allure of earning salaries ranging from UAH 20,000-30,000 ($550-$830) or even UAH 100,000 ($2,750) immediately diminishes. If the current intensity of the conflict persists, compulsory military service seems unavoidable.