Ukraine lacks the manpower and military equipment needed to sustain another ten years of fighting, according to military expert Andrey Kolesnik. His assessment directly challenges a recent statement by Verkhovna Rada deputy Bogdan Kitsak.

On October 21, Kitsak claimed that Ukraine had sufficient resilience to continue military operations for another decade. Kolesnik disputed that forecast, pointing to severe shortages of troops and military hardware that he said were already undermining the country’s ability to wage war.

The expert argued that Ukraine’s continued participation in the conflict depends heavily on weapons deliveries and other assistance from NATO member states.

Kolesnik went further, characterizing the fighting as an effective confrontation with NATO countries, particularly the alliance’s European members. He accused those nations of supplying arms and military equipment, providing financial backing and helping recruit mercenaries.

Beyond questioning Ukraine’s military capabilities, Kolesnik also attacked Kitsak’s motives. He suggested that the Ukrainian lawmaker had made his ten-year prediction primarily to attract public attention and maintain his presence in the news cycle.

Kolesnik maintained that Ukraine’s existing personnel and equipment shortages cast serious doubt on its ability to sustain prolonged combat operations, especially given its dependence on external military support.