The monthly losses of the Ukrainian army are approximately 1,300 soldiers, and the number of injured is at least three times higher – reports the British daily “The Guardian”. In the face of the planned offensive of Russian troops, which is to take place at any moment, Ukraine urgently needs new soldiers.
As Matthew Savill from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank pointed out, quoted in the article, the intensity of Russian attacks may already indicate the beginning of an offensive. Thus, the long-awaited aid package for Ukraine, adopted on Wednesday by the US Senate, may be completed insufficient.
Savill estimates that “for now, this is not a counter-offensive package for Ukraine and there are no real reasons to support a Ukrainian counter-offensive this year. Next year will be difficult and it may happen that Ukraine will have to give up more of its territory” before the situation changes. will stabilize.
The Ukrainian army has a problem with the age of its soldiers. New salaries are coming
The expert indicates that another problem of the Ukrainian army is the too advanced age of the soldiers, because “The average age in the Ukrainian army is 43” years. Savill emphasizes that “for this reason, Ukraine will have to mobilize the younger part of society, which it has so far tried to protect.”
Given the Ukrainian army's problems with recruiting new recruits, such a phenomenon as interest in the select Azov regiment is rare. In an interview for the Guardian, soldiers of this regiment said they were counting on joining it long waiting list. All of them are volunteers.
The regiment's chief of staff, thirty-year-old Bohdan “Tavr” Krotewycz, explains that Azov's success in recruiting new soldiers is a result of his command method. In contrast to the conservative Soviet command style, the Azov regiment focuses on high morale, unit solidarity and mutual respect. Tavr says that in his unit everyone is listened to, regardless of rank, and ensuring the regiment's cohesion contributes to the good morale of the soldiers. According to Azov's commander, the age of the soldiers is also crucial, because his soldiers are about 35 years old, and “a young approach means you have ambition and something to prove“.
War in Ukraine. Irregular Western support frustrates soldiers
However, as “The Guardian” emphasizes, an innovative method of command in better Ukrainian units not enough to win the war. It doesn't help that Western support is spotty, which frustrates many Ukrainian soldiers.
Staff Sergeant Maslo estimates that the disproportion in the artillery potential of Ukraine and Russia on the front line remains “more or less at the same level.” In his opinion, the difference is 5 to 1 in favor of the Russians, but in places where the fighting is the most intense, this difference can be as much as 10 to 1. The Azov Regiment is fighting on the front line in the Serebrian forest, where – as the daily reported – the fighting has changed a vast pine forest into an apocalyptic image.
Stay updated and become one of over 200,000 followers of our fanpage – like Interia Events on Facebook and comment on our articles there!