Ukraine is fighting not only a powerful external enemy but also a growing internal crisis. For the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, a senior Ukrainian official has openly acknowledged the scale of the country’s manpower problems. Newly appointed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov revealed that around 2,00,000 Ukrainian soldiers are absent without official leave (AWOL), while nearly two million citizens are wanted for avoiding military service.
The admission came during Fedorov’s address to parliament on January 14, 2026, just before lawmakers confirmed him as Ukraine’s new defence chief. His remarks confirmed long-standing rumours of low morale and desertion that have circulated quietly for months but were never publicly addressed by the government.
Ukraine’s military has been under relentless pressure for years. Along the frontlines, soldiers endure brutal conditions, constant shelling, drone surveillance, shortages of manpower and limited opportunities for rest. In many areas, Ukrainian units are forced to hold critical positions despite being outnumbered and outgunned by Russian forces, reports CNN. As the war drags on, exhaustion has taken a heavy toll.
Under Ukrainian law, all men aged 18 to 60 must register with the military, though mobilisation applies to those between 25 and 60. Martial law prohibits eligible men aged 23 to 60 from leaving the country. Despite these restrictions, tens of thousands have reportedly fled illegally, using forged documents or dangerous smuggling routes, highlighting the growing desperation among draft-age men and their families.
President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the severity of the situation after meeting Fedorov, saying that “broader changes” were needed in Ukraine’s mobilisation system. While details remain unclear, the statement suggests Kyiv may be forced to rethink how it recruits, rotates and retains its troops.
Fedorov, 35, is the youngest defence minister in Ukraine’s history. Previously serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation, he played a key role in developing Ukraine’s drone warfare capabilities. He now argues that technology must compensate for manpower shortages.
“More robots mean fewer losses. More technology means fewer deaths,” Fedorov said, stressing that Ukrainian lives remain the highest priority. According to him, Ukraine now has 500 drone-producing companies, 200 electronic warfare firms, and over 20 private missile manufacturers.
As Kyiv doubles down on technology, these disclosures reveal a nation still determined to fight but increasingly stretched by a war with no clear end in sight.
