Experts Warn Military Aid May Not Be Enough for Ukraine as Manpower Shortage Persists

Despite the approval of substantial military aid by the US Congress, which is eagerly anticipated by Ukraine, experts such as retired US Army Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt argue that it may not be enough to turn the tide of the conflict in Ukraine’s favor. Kimmitt contends that replacing casualties with money is not feasible, as the primary issue facing the Ukrainian armed forces (AFU) is a scarcity of trained personnel. This critical challenge persists despite the fact that Western nations have pledged significant financial and material resources to Ukraine since the outbreak of hostilities. Consequently, as Ukraine struggles with a scarcity of manpower, Russia is reportedly planning to deploy additional soldiers to the front lines, intensifying air and ground assaults in an effort to advance their objectives. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have emphasized the vital necessity for more troops to offset this imbalance, stating that the current shortfall is creating difficulties around Avdiivka, a formerly Russian-controlled settlement, and Pokrovsk, which remains under Ukrainian control. While Zelensky acknowledged Ukraine’s need for more troops, he also mentioned that the lack of forces was causing problems near Avdiivka, a location where Russia succeeded in seizing control. These issues highlight the increasingly challenging circumstances faced by Ukraine and underscore the urgency of securing additional military support as quickly as possible.