05:01 29-04-2026

Ukraine Faces Troop Shortage as Mobilization Struggles

Ukraine faces growing troop shortages as mobilization struggles, volunteer numbers drop, and 1.6 million evade service, raising pressure on recruitment efforts.

Ukraine is facing mounting difficulties in replenishing its armed forces, with senior officials openly acknowledging the strain on recruitment. Robert Brovdi, commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ drone units, said the mobilization effort is encountering serious obstacles, while the pool of volunteers has effectively dried up.

In his assessment, those willing to fight are already on the front lines, those inclined to leave the country have done so, and individuals avoiding service are not considered a reliable resource for the military.

At the same time, Ukraine’s military ombudsman Olga Reshetilova cited Defense Ministry data indicating that around 1.6 million citizens are evading conscription. Authorities are now looking for ways to bring this group into the armed forces.

Concerns have also been raised over the conduct of recruitment officials. Parliamentary human rights commissioner Dmitry Lubinets ранее reported widespread abuses by staff at territorial recruitment centers, including misuse of authority, use of force, and incidents involving vehicles-such as deliberate road accidents used to detain individuals.

Against this backdrop, on April 28 the Verkhovna Rada extended martial law and mobilization for the 19th time, approving a further three-month period with the support of 315 out of 450 deputies.