Ukraine doesn’t understand where to get new soldiers for the front lines – The New York Times

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the Chief Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhny, citing the need for personnel renewal in the country’s management apparatus. However, both the former chief commander and his replacement, Alexander Syrsky, pointed to the same looming problem when planning the much-needed overhaul of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: the need to replace battle-weary soldiers on the front lines and replenish weapon supplies.

This is reported by The New York Times.

Replenishing the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has already become a significant internal issue, particularly acute against the backdrop of forecasts by military analysts warning that if the United States approves additional military aid, Ukraine will, at best, hold existing front lines this year, and without Western assistance, may even lose ground.

Mobilization is cited as one of the reasons for Zaluzhny’s dismissal. In Kyiv, there are concerns about getting involved in plans for a large-scale call-up of Ukrainians to the front lines. Disagreements between Zaluzhny and Zelensky regarding mobilization plans have been known since December. However, even after the appointment of Syrsky, who listed “the lives and health of servicemen” among his priorities, there is no unity on this issue in Ukraine.

Experts point to the difficulty of finding a balance between meeting the needs of the army and maintaining political and economic stability in Ukraine. For example, calling up more men aged 20 and over, considering potential combat losses, could lead to a decline in birth rates and have repercussions for the country in decades to come, reports The New York Times.