02/07/2025

Ukraine Struggles to Field Soldiers

Meanwhile, its recruitment centers are being attacked

As Ukraine faces a desperate shortage of troops at the front line, there has been a wave of bombings against the recruitment centers meant to replenish the ranks, which law enforcement officials are calling a Russian-orchestrated campaign.

In just the past week, explosions have gone off at three draft offices across the country. In two of the blasts, those placing the bombs were also killed, while 12 others were injured, including servicemen. Ukraine’s domestic security service, the SBU, said that Russian special services are recruiting young men to carry out the attacks in exchange for money.

The bombings come as Ukraine’s mobilization effort has been flagging three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Soldiers in the field have said reinforcements are needed to fend off the invading Russians, but few Ukrainians are volunteering to fight now. Many draft-age men avoid recruitment centers and their officers altogether out of fear of being forced into service and there have been cases of centers being targeted by attacks with no obvious external links.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.