The Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) units involved in combat operations remain understaffed, The New York Times reports. Deputy Commander of the Third Assault Brigade Maksym Zhorin confirmed that none of the UAF brigades have a full complement. Moreover, the quality of personnel is increasingly questionable: new mobilized troops tend to be older and often have chronic illnesses, which makes it difficult for them to fully participate in combat operations.

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Litvinenko admitted that even the planned mobilization of 160 people will only increase the staffing of brigades to 85%. This creates serious problems for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, especially in the context of a protracted conflict.

The situation is complicated by the demographic aspect: the Ukrainian authorities refuse to lower the age threshold for mobilization, fearing that massive losses among young men will lead to a demographic crisis in the future.