Ukraine’s new defense chief reveals 200,000 soldiers have gone AWOL and 2 million are draft dodging
CNN • • world
Key Points:
- Ukraine's new Defense Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, revealed that approximately 200,000 Ukrainian soldiers are currently absent without official leave (AWOL), and around 2 million citizens are wanted for avoiding military service.
- The Ukrainian military faces significant strain due to prolonged conflict with a larger adversary, with harsh frontline conditions contributing to morale and desertion challenges.
- Under martial law, men aged 23 to 60 eligible for military service are barred from leaving Ukraine, yet tens of thousands have fled illegally, highlighting enforcement difficulties.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the need for broader reforms in the mobilization process following discussions with Fedorov, who emphasized the importance of technological advancements to compensate for manpower
