FT: Ukrainian military seeks 160,000 new recruits to fill manpower void

Ukraine is urgently deploying more medical teams to the front lines, bracing for a major Russian offensive as both sides fight for strategic advantage ahead of political changes in the United States.

Analysts and military officials see the upcoming months as a pivotal time in the conflict, with Ukraine aiming to secure its defences and strengthen its negotiating position before January when Donald Trump could potentially re-enter the White House, Caliber.Az reports citing the recent analysis by the Financial Times.

Recently, Russian forces have intensified their attacks, especially in eastern Ukraine, advancing faster than at any point since 2022. Ukrainian defences have struggled, weakened by manpower shortages and insufficient resources. Officials acknowledge that some areas are buckling under the pressure, as Russian troops close in.

The ongoing battle near Russia's Kursk region is also escalating. Ukraine made surprise gains there in August, but Russia is now mobilizing around 50,000 soldiers, including North Korean units, to counter this. The stakes are high; losing control in Kursk would strip Ukraine of a key leverage point in any future negotiations. Meanwhile, concerns grow that Trump’s promise to “end the war in 24 hours” and his criticism of US military support could lead to a peace deal favouring Moscow. This possibility looms large over Ukraine’s strategic calculations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains firm that any negotiations would only be acceptable if Russia withdraws entirely from Ukrainian territory. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown interest in talks only if his extensive demands are met, which include full control of several contested regions.

Since the summer, Russian forces have gained over 1,200 square kilometres, according to a Ukrainian defence tracking group, doubling the area Kyiv’s troops hold in Kursk. Along the 1,000-kilometer front line, Ukrainian soldiers face relentless Russian bombardments, with some commanders warning of the dire situation, including an imminent need to retreat from key positions near Kurakhove, a strategic and heavily contested area.

The shortage of personnel remains one of Ukraine’s critical challenges. Commanders note that the average age of soldiers in many units has risen above 40, and reinforcements have been insufficient. Plans to draft 160,000 more troops are underway, but experts are doubtful the target will be fully met, with estimates suggesting closer to 100,000 new recruits — far short of filling the gaps in the ranks. Compounding the issue, military service in Ukraine remains indefinite, deterring many potential recruits who view it as a death sentence. There are concerns that demobilization legislation could spark an exodus of current soldiers, leaving some infantry units dangerously undermanned.

To fill the ranks, even non-combat personnel like Air Force engineers and medical staff have reportedly been reassigned to the front lines, although official spokespeople deny this. Nonetheless, commanders have admitted that extreme circumstances sometimes force them to deploy support staff for combat duties. The relentless Russian assault, backed by seemingly endless resources, continues to drain Ukraine’s already exhausted defences.

While Russia’s offensive has been costly, with reports of massive daily casualties, it has leveraged substantial financial incentives to recruit more soldiers. This strategy has made the sacrifices more palatable to the Russian public, as recruits are seen as signing up for the money rather than for national duty.

North Korea has also bolstered Russia’s manpower, with additional support likely in the future. Western experts agree that while Russia could face challenges sustaining its equipment production, Ukraine’s immediate concerns are far more pressing.

By Tamilla Hasanova