Ukrainian Commander Reports 70% Monthly Attrition Among Mobilized Troops, Highlighting Infantry Crisis.

05.02.2026 327

05.02.2026 327

Ukrainian soldier in trench under fire

Ukraine Faces Critical Mobilization and Manpower Shortfall

According to TSN.ua: Alina Mykhailova, commander of the "Ulf" medical service and a deputy in the Kyiv City Council, has drawn attention to a severe mobilization crisis and a critical shortage of infantry on Ukraine's front lines. She states that while approximately 30,000 men are mobilized each month, a staggering 70% of them subsequently go absent without leave (AWOL). This results in the armed forces gaining only about 10,000 new soldiers monthly, a figure that falls dangerously short of frontline requirements. This personnel deficit comes at a time when Ukraine is engaged in a grueling war of attrition against a larger adversary.

Mykhailova emphasized that the situation has reached a critical breaking point.

"There is practically no one left to place in these trenches and bunkers, and especially no one to hold this defensive line,"

she noted. This points to a dire lack of the infantry soldiers essential for conducting combat operations. The commander stressed that

"victory is achieved by infantry, and we have no infantry,"

raising serious concerns about the Ukrainian military's capacity to maintain an effective defense.

Severe Challenges Within Military Units

The circumstances within Ukrainian military units have grown increasingly difficult under the strain of war. In September 2025 alone, over 20,000 cases of soldiers going absent without leave were recorded, underscoring the gravity of the personnel retention problem. Amid constant combat and high casualty rates, finding solutions to improve mobilization and army replenishment is now urgent. The scale of unauthorized departures suggests deep-seated issues that extend beyond the battlefield.

The critical mobilization situation in Ukraine highlights an immediate need to resolve systemic personnel support problems. The high rate of soldiers going AWOL indicates potential underlying socio-economic causes that require state-level attention. Consequently, effective measures to recruit new personnel and bolster military morale could prove decisive for strengthening the country's defensive capabilities in this protracted conflict.