by Tim Zadorozhnyy. Jan 15, 2025
President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Dec. 1, 2024. (Yan Dobronosov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 15 that Ukraine’s military now comprises 880,000 soldiers, tasked with defending the entire country against 600,000 Russian troops concentrated in specific areas.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw, Zelensky said that Russia’s localized troop concentration creates a numerical advantage.
“Russian troops are concentrated in several areas, so in some areas, they have a quantitative advantage,” he said.
Ukraine has been struggling with a manpower shortage, especially in the infantry, while Russia has intensified its offensive in Donetsk Oblast since the summer of 2024.
Earlier on Jan. 14, a scandal erupted in Ukraine as Air Force members claimed they were being transferred to bolster the infantry.
According to Ukrainska Pravda, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi issued an order on Jan. 11 to transfer over 5,000 Air Force personnel to Ground Forces units. A senior Air Force officer, speaking anonymously, said transfers began in spring 2024 and have now reached a “critical level,” with unit staffing dropping to 50%.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces denied claims of transferring technical and aviation personnel, saying that these resources are being increased.
Critics have called for deeper mobilization reforms, as Ukraine’s army faces challenges related to demographics and an uneven mobilization process.
In 2024, Ukraine lowered its minimum mobilization age from 27 to 25 but resisted calls from international partners to reduce it further to 18.
Zelensky also reported progress in arms production, saying that Ukraine now covers 33-34% of its annual weapons needs — up from less than 10% before the full-scale invasion. Europe and the U.S. supply more than 60% of Ukraine’s weaponry, with each accounting for about 30%.
NEWS FEED, POLAND, UKRAINE, RUSSIA, SABOTAGE, TERRORISM, WAR
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Comment from :
Ian Wagner
As a citizen of the United States, I am well aware that my government uses strategic political and economical practices for their control of the global economy. I believe we do some terrible things but it is all for a more stable and streamline world society. With that said, what putin has done to his country, Ukraine, Georgia, and countless other disputes and territory grabs is nothing less than the same atrocities Hitler committed for world control with no societal outlook, just greed. Just as president Zelensky said, “there is no forgiveness”. I am saying the only way this ends is with a rebellion in Russia and Putins body dragged through the streets of Moscow by the people he pretends he is looking out for. I believe he knows that and clearly demonstrates that he is willing to do unspeakable things to prevent that outcome for himself. No one wants another world war but I can’t belive the spineless politicians we have elected here who suddenly claim Putin is our friend. It’s despicable and makes me question their loyalty to not only American morales but the general morals of all men across the world.
Rick Boone
agree, Ian. Finally we have an ally that doesn’t ask us to send troops to die for them. They are willing to die to protect their country. We’ve given them almost nothing but obsolete weaponry, and they’ve done wonders. This is the way to promote US interests. Supply and support patriots that want to be a Western style Democracy. They don’t want to be Americans, but they’re a lot closer than Putin.
Dylan Harrison
They have 880,000 troops in their entire military, Russia has 600,000 in just the war. So while some of that 880,000 has to protect various regions of the country (think air defense units at cities or hugely, the massive border with Belarus that needs to be defended from potential attack) the Russians 600,000 is purely the number in the fight so at any one point on the line the Ukrainian’s have at best equal numbers, but usually worse numbers.
All commentators are right, but I’d like to reflect on Dylan Harrison’s. If NATO had anything resembling courage and foresight, it would at least send troops to take over the more benign jobs, guarding borders and air defense and so on, thus freeing up Ukrainian troops to fight on the front. The West won’t even send back the military-aged men to Ukraine, which is just another major mistake made by these naves.