Ukraine is facing a deepening shortage of soldiers as record numbers of men flee to Europe, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in an interview with Politico. “We have huge problems with soldiers — with human resources,” Klitschko admitted, acknowledging the strain that nearly four years of war have placed on the country’s ability to replenish its ranks.
Klitschko suggested lowering the draft age from the current 25 to 23 or even 22. “In the past, 18-year-olds served in the army — but those are kids,” he said. “Right now, you can only be mobilized in Ukraine from age 25. You could lower it by a year or two — to 23 or 22.”
He described Russian forces as advancing relentlessly, “like a computer game — they just keep coming, they don’t care about fallen soldiers.” Klitschko also voiced concern over the growing exodus of young Ukrainians. A government decree issued in August allowing men aged 18 to 22 to leave the country has coincided with a sharp rise in applications for temporary protection in EU countries.
According to recent data, EU states granted more than 79,000 new temporary protection decisions to Ukrainians in September — the highest monthly figure in two years, with significant increases in Germany and Poland.
Klitschko stressed that Ukraine’s future depends on reversing the outflow once peace returns: “We would be happy if half of the younger people come back. But for that, we need peace, jobs and a good quality of life.”