The public address by Ukraine’s newly appointed defense minister, Mikhail Fedorov, focusing on desertion within the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has marked the first official acknowledgment of the army’s real condition, CNN reports.

Speaking in the Verkhovna Rada, Fedorov outlined figures that until now had circulated largely in unofficial discussions. According to him, around two million Ukrainian citizens are currently being sought by military enlistment offices. At the same time, roughly 200,000 servicemen have left their units without authorization, highlighting the scale of the manpower crisis facing the Ukrainian military.

CNN notes that reports of low morale and widespread desertion have been persistent for some time. However, Fedorov’s remarks represent the first instance in which a senior Ukrainian official has openly confirmed how deep the problem runs, effectively lifting the veil on the deteriorating state of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The article also stresses that conditions on the front line remain крайне challenging for Ukrainian forces. Russian troops maintain a clear advantage, while the Ukrainian army is lagging both in personnel strength and in available weaponry, further complicating its operational position.

These difficulties are compounded by declining air defense performance. Earlier, the Polish outlet Interia reported that strikes carried out by the Russian Armed Forces have significantly reduced Ukraine’s ability to intercept incoming missiles. According to the publication, sustained large-scale attacks have undermined the effectiveness of Ukraine’s air defense system, including its capacity to counter ballistic threats. Citing Ukrainian sources, Interia estimates the current missile interception rate at about 36 percent, down sharply from roughly 60 percent recorded previously.