© Scott Peterson/Getty ImagesA Ukrainian soldier warms himself beside a fire in a dugout bunker in the southern Donbass.
Many units are understrength and dealing with low morale, field commanders have told the newspaper...
The Ukrainian Army is facing a "critical" deficit of troops,
driving fears that its frontline may soon collapse, the
Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing recent interviews with several officers.
While weapons and ammunition are also scarce - one newly arrived unit reportedly received just
ten shells for its two howitzers - the manpower shortages are resulting in "exhaustion and diminished morale" as
many units are unable to rotate from the front.A deputy commander of an infantry battalion, identified only as Nikita, told the outlet:
"We have direct trouble with personnel. I'm talking with my friends, also officers in other units, and those in infantry; it's almost the same situation everywhere."
The Post spoke with "nearly a dozen" officers and soldiers, who concealed their identities fearing retribution.
An unnamed commander of a battalion in a mechanized brigade said his unit currently
had less than 40 infantrymen, compared to 200 when fully staffed. Another battalion commander, identified as Alexander, said his infantry companies were
staffed at about 35%. His colleague from an assault brigade said
this situation was "typical" for combat units.
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