Russia-Ukraine War: An Insider Sheds Light On Ukrainian Army's Struggles

Ukraine's armed forces suffer more from a shortage of troops than from a lack of ammunition supplies, says military expert Franz-Stefan Gady after visiting the front in the Ukraine-Russia war.

Ukrainian soldier on the front near Klyshchivka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, during the Russia-Ukraine war (Photo: MTI/AP/Irina Ribakova/Irina Ribakova)

Franz-Stefan Gady also pointed out that the Russians have managed to keep their numbers stable and are able to recruit tens of thousands of soldiers every month, offsetting losses and ensuring that troops do not lose combat effectiveness. In addition, the Russians face no problems with the supply of artillery ammunition.

The shortage of troops is a bigger setback for the Ukrainian army than the lack of ammo. Photo: Anadolu via AFP/Gian Marco Benedetto

I see no real problem for the Russian armed forces this year or until the first half of 2025, as long as there are enough reserves. Their bigger problem is the lack of equipment, especially armoured vehicles,

– the military expert told the German press. In his view, the offensive capability of the Russian armed forces will increase in the coming months unless they make some grave operational or strategic mistake.

Cover photo: Ukraine's armed forces suffer more from a shortage of troops than from a lack of ammunition supplies (Photo: Anadolu via AFP/Diego Herrera Carcedo)