By Trendsetter Tribune 
Ukraine’s new defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov highlights desertions, draft-dodging, bureaucratic issues, and funding shortfalls as Russia continues its invasion.
Ukraine’s military is grappling with wide-scale desertions and draft-dodging as Russia’s invasion enters its fourth year, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov revealed on Wednesday.
Speaking to Ukraine’s parliament, Fedorov reported 200,000 troop desertions and approximately 2 million people evading conscription. He warned that the military cannot sustain modern warfare using outdated organizational structures.
“We cannot fight a war with new technologies but an old organizational structure,” Fedorov said.
Other challenges cited include excessive bureaucracy, Soviet-style management, and ongoing disruptions in the supply of equipment along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line.
New Leadership Amid a Government Reshuffle
Fedorov, 34, was appointed defense minister earlier this year by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as part of a government reshuffle aimed at strengthening security, defense, and diplomacy.
Previously, Fedorov led Ukraine’s digital transformation efforts, introducing e-government platforms and spearheading the development of the military’s drone technology.
Funding Shortfalls and International Support
Fedorov highlighted a 300 billion hryvnia ($6.9 billion) funding gap in Ukraine’s defense budget. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that most of a new EU loan program will be allocated to support Ukraine’s military and economy over the next two years.
Rapid Growth in Ukraine’s Defense Industry
Despite challenges, Fedorov emphasized massive growth in Ukraine’s defense sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022:
- Drone manufacturers: from 7 to nearly 500
- Electronic warfare companies: from 2 to around 200
- Private missile producers: about 20
- Ground-based robotic systems manufacturers: more than 100
“Some sectors have emerged from scratch, showing the resilience and innovation of Ukraine’s defense industry,” Fedorov said.
The minister stressed that modernizing Ukraine’s military structures and addressing logistical bottlenecks will be crucial to counter ongoing threats from Russia and secure a path toward a lasting peace settlement.