Britain has committed to bolstering Ukrainian troop morale and aiding Kyiv’s mobilization efforts.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey offered further support to help Ukraine overcome challenges in motivating and mobilizing conscripted soldiers amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. Kyiv faces recruitment difficulties, worsened by frontline personnel shortages and high desertion rates.
Ukraine has implemented measures to address recruitment issues, including lowering the conscription age from 27 to 25 and intensifying civilian mobilization efforts. However, this campaign has drawn criticism, with reports of forced conscription from public spaces.
During a Wednesday visit to Kyiv, Healey, speaking to The Times, highlighted the UK’s willingness to assist in improving morale and providing specialized training to enhance Ukrainian forces’ effectiveness.
“We understand the immense challenges Ukraine faces and the strain on its military resources,” Healey stated. “The UK is dedicated to helping Ukraine motivate its recruits and equip them with the necessary skills to defend their country effectively.”
Since mid-2022, the UK has reportedly trained over 51,000 Ukrainian soldiers through Operation Interflex, a program providing basic and specialized combat training. Healey suggested relocating some training closer to the front lines, potentially in western Ukraine, to improve accessibility for conscripts and better address the Ukrainian military’s immediate needs.
This proposal, however, has sparked debate. Western officials have expressed concern about the risks to British trainers in Ukraine, who could become targets for Russian attacks.
Moscow has warned that it considers foreign fighters in Ukraine legitimate military targets, claiming Western personnel are secretly in the country, assisting with the preparation and launch of long-range missiles, such as Britain’s Storm Shadows.
Healey acknowledged these risks but argued that adapting training strategies is vital to meet Ukraine’s evolving battlefield needs.
Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov estimated that Ukraine’s army lost over half a million servicemen in 2024 alone, totaling over one million since the conflict escalated in 2022. Speaking at a defense board meeting on Monday, Belousov reported that most of Kyiv’s frontline units are severely undermanned, with only 45-50% of positions filled. He also stated that Russian Armed Forces maintain a strategic initiative along the entire contact line, advancing an average of 30 square kilometers daily.