Ukraine's critical soldier shortage amid escalating conflict

General Jurij Sodol, commander of the Operational-Strategic Group "Chortyca," highlighted the significant challenges the Ukrainian armed forces faced during his Thursday speech at the Ukrainian Supreme Council. In his opinion, the main problem is the lack of soldiers, which places them at a serious disadvantage against an opponent who outnumbers them by even 7-10 times.

General Sodol emphasized that in some teams, only two, and at best, three or four people remained, whereas the standard team composition is eight. As a result, such a unit can only defend 20 meters of the front, whereas it should be able to hold a position along a 100-meter section.

The situation becomes even more complicated at the brigade level. As the general explained, a brigade should be able to defend up to 14 kilometers of the front under normal conditions. However, a brigade can only maintain just over 5 kilometers, and sometimes even less with the current workforce. As a result, instead of one brigade, three brigades are necessary to deploy, which causes additional strain on the armed forces.

General Sodol noted that under normal circumstances, two additional brigades could rest and prepare for further actions or join a strike group to conduct an offensive. However, currently, these brigades must maintain the front line, which further burdens their forces. Summarizing his speech, General Sodol appealed to the parliament to pass the mobilization law, emphasizing that it is essential for the Ukrainian armed forces.

On Thursday, the Ukrainian Supreme Council adopted the mobilization law, introducing new rules for the recruitment of conscripts. This law introduces several changes to the current recruitment system into the military, including expanding the authorities' powers to issue military summonses through an electronic system. The new law was passed after months of delay and the submission of thousands of amendments.