**Ukraine’s Military Problems Cannot Be Ignored**
For a long time, Ukraine’s military problems were overlooked. But now, with the country facing mounting territorial losses, it’s clear that something needs to change.
The phrase “A small Soviet army cannot defeat a big Soviet army” was once just a cautionary tale. But today, it seems prophetic. Both Russia and Ukraine have inherited the Soviet military’s systemic flaws. Ukraine’s problems were caused by decades of neglect, underfunding, lack of military prestige, and socio-economic issues.
**Mobilization Failures**
When the war started in 2022, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians volunteered to join the army. But by 2024, the situation had changed. More people were trying to avoid military service than were joining up. This was not surprising, as countries fighting for survival often have to force citizens to join the military.
Ukraine’s government tried to please both sides – avoiding unpopular decisions about military recruitment while still trying to meet the army’s growing need for soldiers. As a result, the country faced a shortage of combat soldiers in 2024.
**Infantry Shortages**
The army’s rapid expansion brought problems that were initially dismissed as “growing pains.” But three years later, these issues exposed systemic failures to adapt. A recent report on the 155th Brigade exposed deep underlying issues in Ukraine’s military. The brigade had high AWOL rates and inadequate initial preparation.
These problems demand attention. Blaming everything on a lack of Western weapons is simplistic and misleading. The brigade was trained in France and wielded Western arms.
**Key Critical Issues**
1. **Mobilization setbacks**: Ukraine’s recruitment efforts have failed to meet the army’s needs.
2. **Infantry shortages**: The country faces a shortage of combat soldiers, making it difficult to control territory.
3. **Poor organizational decisions**: The army has made mistakes in deploying new draftees into new units rather than reinforcing depleted, veteran brigades.
**The Crisis Runs Deeper**
When battalions need foot soldiers, they start pulling people from crucial support roles – mortar crews, medical teams, and drone operators all get reassigned to the front lines. This creates a deadly domino effect: support units get hollowed out, while untrained soldiers face enemy fire.
**Conclusion**
The crisis in Ukraine’s military cannot be ignored. The country needs mass mobilization, not just willing volunteers, to win the war. History proves this point – both the Soviet Union and the United States had to draft large portions of their populations during World War II. Today’s conflict is no different.
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