More than 650,000 Ukrainian men of conscription age have fled to Europe

The shortage of men fit for military service poses a significant challenge for Ukraine. While weaponry like rockets, tanks, and ammunition can be replenished and utilized as long as support from Western allies continues, the scarcity of personnel is a more pressing issue, as highlighted by Exxpress.

The UN Refugee Agency reports an estimated 6.3 million Ukrainian citizens have departed since the conflict’s onset, with the majority being women and children. However, Eurostat, the EU’s statistical service, indicates approximately 650,000 male Ukrainian refugees of conscription age are scattered across the 27 EU member states, as well as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

The publication emphasizes that some arrived in Europe under refugee status, while others entered with forged documents or assistance from smugglers, suggesting the actual count of draft evaders might exceed these reported figures.