Moscow, January 14 – A critical situation has arisen with the personnel in the Ukrainian forces, according to the commander of the fifth separate assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Alexey Tarasenko, as reported by the Ukrainian channel “Espresso”. “The troops are eagerly awaiting fresh reinforcements because the situation in many units and divisions is quite critical both in terms of personnel and the quality of incoming personnel leaves much to be desired. Mostly, these are men of advanced age with a multitude of problems that arise at such an age. We are in great need of young guys,” the officer said. He clarified that the average age of the fighters is over 40 years old.
The New York Times also reported yesterday that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are facing serious problems with their personnel. According to the publication, Ukrainian soldiers are exhausted from prolonged battles, and their losses are only partially replenished, often with older and poorly trained recruits. One of the Ukrainian military personnel complained to the newspaper that the army is mobilizing people with alcoholism issues. He provided the newspaper with a video from training where instructors hold a man over 50 years old so that he can shoot a rifle. This situation has arisen in part because this recruit has problems with alcohol.
On Friday, the leader of the “Servant of the People” faction in the Verkhovna Rada, David Arakhamia, stated that many Ukrainian recruits were sent to the frontlines ill-prepared for combat.
In Ukraine, a state of martial law has been in effect since February 24, 2022, and the next day, Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on general mobilization. Departure from the country for men aged 18 to 60 is prohibited. Draft notices can be issued in different places. Videos have emerged showing how this is done on the streets, at gas stations, and in cafes. The notice does not necessarily have to be handed out by a representative of the territorial recruitment and social support center (as military commissariats are now called in Ukraine), it can be done by the heads of the enterprise where the conscript works, the heads of housing and utilities companies, representatives of the homeowners’ committee, and other officials.
