The war of attrition is straining the Ukrainian army. Problems are becoming increasingly evident, reports Politico.

Ukrainian combat medic Anastasia voluntarily joined the army in 2022. She had no military or medical experience but was eager to assist wounded Ukrainian soldiers in rear hospitals, avoiding direct involvement in combat.

Last autumn, while on leave for treatment, she learned that she had been transferred to one of the hottest spots of the war - near Kurakhovo in the eastern Donetsk region.

"At the time of my arrival, I didn't even have basic military training. My previous command forged my documents," Anastasia said. The military denies these allegations.

Anastasia noted that her new comrades are helping her adapt: "In this new brigade, the drivers taught me how to assemble weapons and have been very supportive."

Similar stories are unfolding across Ukraine as the army tries to fill the personnel gap caused by the exhausting war.

On January 11, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, signed an order transferring over 5,000 servicemen from the Air Force to the Ground Forces. This decision raised concerns as Ukraine sacrifices highly skilled specialists who are hard to replace.

"Ukraine is not just losing money - it is running out of people," emphasized U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The number of poorly trained and exhausted soldiers is rising, along with desertions, difficulties in recruiting new personnel, and ongoing arrests of experienced commanders.

This situation poses a political challenge for Kyiv as Ukraine seeks to prove to international partners that its support is justified.

Command Issues

The Ukrainian military command faces criticism as it attempts to transition from a Soviet management model to Western standards.

"Modern warfare requires proactive officers willing to take risks, not bureaucrats," noted British military expert Glen Grant.

Anastasia confirms this: "Under Syrskyi's command, the staff became a group of loyalists who only report victories, despite losses."

The Ukrainian General Staff rejected the accusations, stating that the lives of soldiers are a priority. At the same time, they acknowledged the existence of desertion cases that they are working to address.

Heavy Losses

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, more than 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died since the onset of the full-scale invasion, with over 370,000 injured. Russian military losses are estimated in the hundreds of thousands.

Nevertheless, the war is draining Ukraine. Since May, Russia has captured about 2,800 square kilometers of territory and is currently pressuring Pokrovsk.

Commander of the "Wolves Da Vinci" battalion, Sergey Filimonov, stated that problems at the front are caused by the General Staff setting unrealistic tasks for the units.

Military expert Taras Chmut notes:

"On paper, there is an army, weapons, and equipment - yet the front is cracking due to chaos in the command."

Ukrainian security services recently arrested two generals for inadequate protection of the Kharkiv region. Some lawmakers believe these arrests are politically motivated.

There is also criticism regarding the training of recruits. They often join new brigades without experience, leading to increased losses.

"If a soldier ends up in an experienced unit, he tries to stay there at all costs. If he is sent into battle unprepared - he either dies or deserts," Filimonov points out.

Despite the challenges, Ukraine is reforming its army, shifting to a Western command model, reducing bureaucracy, and digitizing processes.

Anastasia, despite the injustice of her transfer, remains at the front: "I could leave, but that’s not my path. I’m needed by the guys."

War in Ukraine - News

Earlier, the senior communications officer of the 80th separate airborne assault brigade, Senior Sergeant Pyotr Haidashchuk, reported that Russian troops continue to attempt to dislodge the Ukrainian Defense Forces from the territory of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, although the situation is currently quite stable.

Meanwhile, the U.S. resumed supplies of American weapons to Ukraine this weekend after a recent suspension. As reported by Reuters, the White House "abandoned its initial assessment of halting all aid to Ukraine."