Ukraine’s new Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov told parliament that nearly 200,000 soldiers have left their posts without authorization, describing the situation as a severe manpower crisis. Speaking before his confirmation vote on Wednesday, Fedorov said around two million Ukrainians are currently wanted for evading military duties. He noted that the army has been under immense pressure for years while defending the country against a much stronger enemy.

According to Fedorov, the front-line situation remains dire, with Ukrainian forces struggling to hold key positions despite shortages of personnel and weapons. CNN reported that rumors of low morale and desertions had circulated for some time, but Fedorov’s remarks marked the first official acknowledgment of the scale of the problem. Ukrainian law requires all men aged 18 to 60 to register for military service, while those aged 25 to 60 are subject to mandatory mobilization.

After meeting Fedorov, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the country’s mobilization process needs major reform. Fedorov, 34, emphasized that technological advancement, including drones and robotics, is now vital to offset manpower shortages.