Ukraine matches Russian levels of mobilization with 30,000 monthly recruits – NYT

Since adopting the law on enhancing mobilization in May 2024, Ukraine has been enlisting approximately 30,000 new soldiers each month, a figure close to that of the Russian army's monthly recruitment.

The New York Times reports this.

As the publication notes, this number is significantly higher compared to the indicators of the last winter months. However, the Ukrainian authorities did not officially confirm this information, and NYT journalists could not independently verify this data.

Ukrainian military sources say the mobilization situation has improved significantly compared to the end of 2023. However, this number of recruits still does not meet all the army's needs.

According to sources, the mobilization has not yet significantly strengthened Ukrainian forces on the battlefield.

The New York Times also notes that many recruits are still undergoing training, and those who have already arrived at the front are often not fully combat-ready due to a lack of proper physical exercise and experience.

But several brigades deployed on the battlefield reported an increase in the number of recruits they received in recent weeks:

• Nazar Voytenkov, a press officer for the 33rd Mechanized Brigade, said Friday that his unit "received more recruits this month" than at the beginning of the year.
• Lieutenant Serhiy Skibchyk, a press officer for the 65th Brigade, which is fighting in southern Ukraine, said: "The situation is improving somewhat compared to the end of 2023 when there was an acute shortage of people."
• Additionally, Franz-Stefan Gady, a Vienna-based military analyst who recently returned from field research in Ukraine, said many conscripts will arrive on the battlefield in the coming weeks.

Before this happens, Russian troops are expected to "make another big push" and try to break through the Ukrainian lines.

The military hopes to stabilize the front and improve conditions on the front line by the end of summer.

It is worth noting that these data testify to Ukraine's serious efforts to build up military forces in the conditions of a protracted conflict but also show the challenges that the country faces in ensuring the combat capability of new units.

For reference:

Ukraine's President Zelensky signed a law reducing the age limit for conscripts on military registration from 27 to 25, which was approved by the Verkhovna Rada [Ukraine's parliament—ed.] in May 2023.

Furthermore, per the Mobilization Law, millions of individuals subject to conscription have recently reconfirmed their information over two months, from May 18 to July 16, 2024. 

Reportedly, a total of 4,690,496 conscripts have successfully updated their records as a result.

It is worth adding that the pace of mobilization has increased in Ukraine. Only in May were as many people recruited into the army as in the last six months.

Rubryka shares information on what tasks should be completed before enlisting in the army. The article "Preparing for Mobilization: Purchases, Skills, and Documentation" provides a guide on ensuring a smooth and comfortable mobilization process in the future.