Ukraine's military faces severe troop shortage after years of war and demographic decline

Ukraine's military is struggling with a critical shortage of combat-ready troops, a problem that has persisted since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The pool of eligible men aged 25-60 is small due to demographic decline from war-related displacement and migration. Official figures show about 1 million military personnel, but only a small fraction are at the front. Some troops have served up to a year without rotation, and units operate at half strength while defending double territory. The Defense Ministry is working on reforms, but new mobilization policies are sensitive and not yet presented to lawmakers. The situation limits Ukraine's ability to conduct offensives and sustain its defense.