According to the Financial Times, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are experiencing significant losses among new recruits entering the front. In particular, it is reported that more than half of them may be killed or wounded immediately after arriving in hostilities. This issue causes concern among both the military and the public.
Ukrainian commanders note that the recruits lack basic combat skills and motivation, and most of them panic during the first shelling. The average age of a Ukrainian soldier is 45, which makes it difficult to perform infantry tasks that require endurance and strength.
"From 50 to 70 percent of the new infantrymen were killed or wounded within a few days after the start of the first rotation," the newspaper writes, citing the commanders of the Armed Forces.
Some commanders of the Defense Forces claim that out of 30 fighters in the unit, only five are under 30 years old. Lack of experience and physical training makes recruits particularly vulnerable, and due to ineffective training, most do not even know how to properly hold a weapon. Training is still conducted in the "Soviet style", and the instructors themselves often have no combat experience. As a result, units of the Armed Forces are facing rapid losses at the front.
The commanders also emphasize that due to constant rotations and pressure from Russian troops, Ukrainian units suffer significant losses and are forced to retreat in some areas.
