The Guardian: Kiev turns to frontline air defense specialists

According to Isna, the English publication Guardian wrote on Saturday that Kiev has ordered its depleted air defense units to “free up” more personnel to be sent to the war fronts, raising concerns that this action poses a risk to Ukraine’s security.

“It’s been going on for a year now, but every day it’s getting worse and worse… I’m at less than half capacity now,” said a Ukrainian air defense officer, speaking on condition of anonymity. In recent days, the commission came and they want dozens more.”

Another source from one of the affected units stated that the situation was reaching such a critical level that “we cannot be sure that the air defenses will be able to function properly.”

These transfers are said to even include people who have been trained in the West and have specialized knowledge on the operation and maintenance of air defense systems.

“These people knew how air defense works, some were trained in the West and had real skills, now they are being sent to the front to fight for which they have no training,” the source said.

Those the Guardian spoke to also expressed concern that some commanders may use the order to send those they dislike to the front as punishment.

Another concern is that these forces may surrender or be captured and provide the Russians with sensitive information about Ukrainian air defense positions and tactics.

The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces did not deny the existence of such an order, but called the Guardian’s report “unreliable and inaccurate” and stressed in a Facebook post on Saturday that the decision did not affect key specialists.

“The change of missions includes military personnel of the Security Forces of Ukraine, some mobile fire groups, as well as personnel who are not involved in the maintenance and operation of high-tech weapons and military equipment,” the statement said. “The Air Force has many personnel who are not directly involved in protecting the sky.”

The statement also added: “The situation on the contact line is difficult and now the most important thing is to hold the front.” “Decisions on the transfer of some military personnel from the rear units to the combat units with the aim of carrying out this priority task.”

Ukraine faces many challenges recruiting new soldiers, exacerbated by a significant desertion rate.

Ukraine’s government has lowered the conscription age to 25, but has so far resisted calls from its Western backers to further lower the age of conscription to 18 to fill its ranks. On the other hand, the mobilization campaign has faced a strong reaction. There are many reports about the attack of recruitment officials on public places and men’s resistance in the streets.

Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has estimated that the Ukrainian army lost more than half a million soldiers in 2024 alone, and since the escalation of the conflict in 2022, its total casualties have reached more than one million. is

According to Rasha Today, Belusov, speaking at a meeting of the Defense Council on Monday, stated that most front-line units in Kyiv are severely understaffed, with only 45 to 50 percent of posts filled. The Russian minister also reported that the Russian armed forces are maintaining a strategic initiative across the contact line and that their forces are advancing an average of 30 square kilometers per day.

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