Ukraine's Rare Admission: 200,000 Soldiers Gone AWOL, 2 Million Dodging Draft

Last Updated:January 14, 2026, 22:57 IST

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country needed “broader changes” to its mobilisation process, signalling potential reforms.

The Ukrainian military has been stretched for years by the war, fighting a larger and better-equipped adversary.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said that around 200,000 of its soldiers are absent without official leave (AWOL), offering a rare glimpse into the scale of manpower strains facing the country’s armed forces. Speaking in the Ukrainian parliament ahead of a vote confirming his appointment, Mykhailo Fedorov said that about two million Ukrainians are currently “wanted" for avoiding military service. His remarks came as Kyiv continues to defend itself against Russia’s invasion amid mounting pressure along the front lines.

The Ukrainian military has been stretched for years by the war, fighting a larger and better-equipped adversary. Conditions on the battlefield have been brutal, with troops often holding key positions while outnumbered and outgunned. While reports of low morale and desertion have circulated for months, Mykhailo Fedorov’s comments mark the first time a senior official has publicly acknowledged the scale of the problem.

Under Ukrainian law, all men aged 18 to 60 must register with the military and carry their documents at all times, though only those between 25 and 60 are subject to mobilisation. Martial law also prohibits men aged 23 to 60 who are eligible for service from leaving the country, yet tens of thousands are believed to have fled illegally.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country needed “broader changes" to its mobilisation process, signalling potential reforms as Kyiv grapples with manpower shortages.

Mykhailo Fedorov, who will turn 35 next week, is the youngest person ever to serve as Ukraine’s defence minister. He replaces Denys Shmyhal, who has moved into the role of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy. Previously, Mykhailo Fedorov served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation, where he oversaw initiatives including Ukraine’s expanding drone warfare programme.

“More robots means fewer losses, more technology means fewer deaths. The lives of Ukrainian heroes are of the highest value," he said, noting that Ukraine now has about 500 companies producing drones, 200 firms manufacturing jamming equipment and more than 20 private missile producers.

Strengthening the technological backbone of Ukraine’s armed forces will be a key priority for Mykhailo Fedorov in his new role, Zelenskyy said, as the country looks to offset manpower shortages with innovation on the battlefield.

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