**Ukraine Sends Specialist Troops to Front Lines**
Ukraine is struggling with a manpower shortage, especially in the infantry. To make up for this, they have been sending specialist troops, such as those from the Air Force, to the front lines.
**Criticism Over “Wasteful” Use of Specialists**
The decision has been criticized by soldiers and experts, who say it is a “wasteful” use of specialist troops that have spent years honing their skills. Many of these specialists are being sent into harm’s way without proper training or preparation.
**Expert Concerns**
A former British army lieutenant colonel, Glen Grant, said that resource management problems persist due to the lack of competent generals and the inability to learn from mistakes. He warned that sending technicians to fight can weaken another area, making the overall situation worse.
**Differing Opinions on Transfer Numbers**
There are differing opinions on how many specialists have been transferred to the infantry. Some say it is a large number, while others doubt this claim. A Ukrainian military expert, Mykhailo Zhyrokhov, questioned the accuracy of these numbers and suggested that the situation may be more complex than initially thought.
**Air Force in Crisis**
The Air Force is facing a crisis due to the transfer of specialists to the infantry. Many of these specialists have specific skills and knowledge that are being wasted on the front lines. The effectiveness of this transfer has been minimal, resulting in the loss of some servicemen who attained valuable skills abroad.
**Reports from Soldiers**
A Ukrainian open-source war monitoring website received over 100 reports from soldiers about the issue concerning the transfer of Air Force and Air Defense specialists to the infantry. Many of these reports said that soldiers only received a few days’ training before being sent into brigades, with “the picture not being the best”.
**Consequences for Ukraine’s Military**
The manpower issue threatening Ukraine’s Air Force has serious consequences for the country’s military. It may weaken their ability to defend themselves and compromise their relationships with Western allies who are providing support.