Berlin, Germany: In a stark revelation that underscores the brutal toll of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, German Lieutenant General Andreas Marlow, Commander of the NATO training mission in Ukraine, has disclosed alarming details about the state of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Speaking to the Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Marlow revealed that of the 200,000 military personnel available to Ukraine as of February 2022, a vast majority have been either killed or wounded.
This dire situation has led to civilians and reservists becoming the primary defenders on the Ukrainian front lines. Previously manned by professional soldiers, these lines are now largely occupied by individuals with minimal military experience, highlighting the severe impact of the conflict on Ukraine’s military capabilities.
Marlow, who also leads the EU Training Command for Ukraine in Germany, criticized the training and preparedness of Ukrainian soldiers. He stated, “We are often sent soldiers who are freshly conscripted, with whom we have to teach the basic military fundamentals within six weeks.” This lack of experience and training among Ukrainian soldiers is a significant concern, especially considering the intensity of the conflict.
The challenge for Ukrainian forces is compounded by the Russian military’s advancements in electronic warfare and counter-artillery. Utilizing sophisticated technologies such as drones and “loitering munitions,” Russian forces have demonstrated significant capabilities in sapping operations, including the creation of an extensive mine belt within Ukraine. Marlow observed, “They have learned a lot in the fight with barriers, as shown by the huge mine belt they laid deep and across Ukraine, which made the Ukrainians struggle immensely during their counter-offensive.”
Reflecting on the Russian military’s performance, Marlow noted, in Germany’s Neue Zürcher Zeitung, their “enormous losses” and problems with the professionalism of their soldiers. He suggested that the Russians might have even more difficulties than the Ukrainians in properly training their soldiers before sending them to the front.
The conflict in Ukraine, escalating sharply in 2022, has drawn international attention, with NATO countries providing varied support to Ukraine. The revelation of such high casualty rates among the Ukrainian Armed Forces highlights the conflict’s brutality and the immense challenges Ukraine faces in defending its sovereignty.
The situation as described by Marlow paints a grim picture of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, heavily reliant on civilians and reservists, and facing an adversary who is adapting and learning rapidly in the field of modern warfare. This additional information from the Neue Zürcher Zeitung article provides a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the complexities of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
