New Ukraine defense chief admits scale of manpower crisis

RT

January 15, 2026

Ukraine’s armed forces are struggling with major manpower and funding shortages, the country’s new defense minister has said.

Mikhail Fedorov, who was appointed on Wednesday, told parliament at his confirmation hearing that the ministry faces a budget gap of 300 billion hryvnia ($7 billion), with around 2 million men placed on a wanted list for draft dodging and around 200,000 troops deserting.

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