A couple of weeks have passed since Ukrainian veteran Stanislav Asseyev made the decision to retire from the army. As a former soldier and ex-prisoner of the Russians, he expressed the despair that has engulfed Ukrainian fighters and highlighted the challenges of mobilizing new troops against Russia.
Having been wounded twice in the Donbas region, Asseyev, who is also a journalist and writer, recently decided to return to civilian life after fighting in a territorial defense battalion that was disbanded due to high casualties and desertions. Despite his desire to join the Ukrainian military intelligence service, his request was not granted, leading him to apply for demobilization.
Asseyev, who was detained and tortured by the Russian security services between 2017 and 2019, plans to continue his work with the Justice Initiative Fund, an organization he founded to document Russian war crimes. He may also work on a book detailing his military experience in the trenches.
Reflecting on the crisis within the Ukrainian army, Asseyev emphasized the lack of motivation among soldiers, particularly in the infantry. He pointed out issues such as personnel shortages, inadequate training, and poor communication between units as contributing factors to the overall problem.
The mobilization of new recruits to replace those lost in combat has reached a critical point in Ukraine after years of conflict. The case of Serhiy Hnezdilov, a volunteer soldier who abandoned his unit without authorization, shed light on the challenges faced by the military. Hnezdilov’s arrest for evading service under martial law highlighted the severity of the situation.
It is evident that the Ukrainian army is struggling to maintain its ranks and morale in the face of ongoing conflict with Russia. Asseyev’s insights provide valuable perspective on the internal challenges that need to be addressed to strengthen the country’s defense forces. The issues raised by Asseyev underscore the urgent need for reforms and support for Ukrainian troops on the front lines.