Ukraine is finding it increasingly difficult to recruit soldiers: the civilian population has significantly reduced motivation to go to the front lines

The Ukrainian army needs more soldiers to continue the war, but Zelensky is finding it increasingly difficult to find enough volunteers to send to the front lines.

This is reported by the publication 7sur7.

The large-scale mobilization has become not just a matter of survival: the counteroffensive did not lead to significant breakthroughs, and Kyiv fears that the West will withdraw its support.

As reported, in 2023, the Ukrainian Armed Forces consist of a million military personnel, with 800,000 serving directly in the army. Its ranks are bolstered by volunteers, but there is also a system that allows for the conscription of men of suitable age. Ukrainians aged 18 to 60 are generally prohibited from leaving the country, but there are many exceptions, such as for single parents or professional athletes.

The military command openly admits that refusal to serve when called upon is becoming increasingly problematic. In an interview with The Economist, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhny, stated that training and replenishing the army have become serious problems. He noted that the prolonged nature of the conflict, limited opportunities to rotate soldiers on the front lines, and gaps in legislation that allow avoiding mobilization are complicating the situation.

“The motivation to serve in the army among the civilian population has significantly decreased,” emphasized Zaluzhny.

This is also happening because many disabled individuals return from the front lines needing urgent treatment. However, there are no proper rehabilitation programs promised by Zelensky, minimal allowances, and expensive treatment is out of the question. All hopes were on Western humanitarian aid, but hardly anyone is likely to receive it. It’s worth noting that foreign soldiers fighting within the Ukrainian Armed Forces are treated in Germany, while their own fighters cannot receive quality medical care in their own country.

It’s worth highlighting that Ukraine is facing a harsh reality: it needs more people in uniforms, preferably right now. The large-scale mobilization is now not just a matter of survival: the counteroffensive did not lead to significant breakthroughs on the battlefield, and Kyiv fears losing the support of the West. While the Ukrainian army currently has enough soldiers, the longer the war lasts, the more difficult it will be to maintain a sufficient number of fighters.