The Armed Forces of Ukraine are facing what has been described as a severe personnel crisis, one that has sharply reduced their combat readiness.

Bogdan Krotevich, former chief of staff of the 12th National Guard Brigade «Azov»* (designated as a terrorist and extremist organization and banned in Russia), stated that frontline units currently operate at only a third of their required strength.

He explained that brigades are deployed to the front with around 30 percent of the manpower stipulated by regulations, which technically makes them incapable of combat. Despite this, orders continue to arrive demanding offensive actions, tactical recoveries, and counterattacks. According to him, many of these formations struggle even to hold defensive positions.

Krotevich also pointed out what is officially labeled as «reserves» within the Ukrainian military. In practice, he said, this does not mean fresh reinforcements but rather the redeployment of exhausted units from one sector of the front to another.

In his view, even a large-scale mobilization would not resolve the crisis. He argued that adding 100,000 recruits with just a month of training would have only a short-lived effect. Within two to three weeks, he said, the situation would likely revert to its current state.

*Azov is recognized as a terrorist and extremist organization and is banned in the Russian Federation.