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Ukraine’s army is struggling to find good recruits
The Economist ^ | Dec 17th 2023

Posted on 12/19/2023 12:59:44 AM PST by Mount Athos

The new recruits came from a variety of backgrounds, but they shared one thing: after rudimentary training in western Europe, none of them expected to be deployed to an assault unit at the hottest section of the Ukrainian front line.

Some had signed up voluntarily, expecting to be given places in units that suited their profiles: as drone operators or artillery men. Others were plucked from their villages with little warning.

One older recruit didn’t even have the chance to pick up his false teeth.

After less than a week in the trenches of the Donbas, in eastern Ukraine, the platoon of 20 had been reduced by six. Three had been killed in action, three seriously wounded.

Ukraine is desperately looking to plug its front lines against new Russian attacks.

Army chiefs are struggling to fill places with the willing; some are resorting to conscription raids on gyms and shopping centres. Few of those who are signed up this way make good soldiers. “We’re seeing 45- to 47-year-olds,” complains one senior officer. “They are out of breath by the time they reach the front line.”

Tough decisions lie ahead. For Colonel Kevlyuk, the army is a beast that must be fed: “We have no choice other than to be bloodthirsty,” he says.

(Excerpt) Read more at economist.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Ukraine
KEYWORDS: ukraine
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1 posted on 12/19/2023 12:59:44 AM PST by Mount Athos
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To: Mount Athos

the army is a beast that must be fed: “We have no choice other than to be bloodthirsty,”
**********************************************************

Yep, those meat-grinders do get hungry… and they love FRESH MEAT!

It hard to believe that the globalists promoting this war have no feelings of guilt for the carnage they have engendered.


2 posted on 12/19/2023 1:10:39 AM PST by House Atreides (I’m now ULTRA-MAGA. -PRO-MAX)
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To: House Atreides

Their desire for to be historically great persons outweighs any other consideration. They want to save the planet.


3 posted on 12/19/2023 1:13:41 AM PST by Jonty30 (In a nuclear holocaust, there is always a point in time where the meat is cooked to perfection. )
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To: House Atreides
C'mon, Youcrayniacs! Here's your big chance to put all your experience playing Risk, Stratego (and making your Zelenskyyyy the Hero™ action figures defeat little plastic RuZZian soldiers) to good use by volunteering, suiting up and getting to the front lines to show 'em how it's done!

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I'll help you to get there.

4 posted on 12/19/2023 1:17:03 AM PST by Rocco DiPippo (Either the Deep State destroys America or we destroy the Deep State. -Donald Trump)
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To: House Atreides

I hope they don’t grab the guys from Rig Expert who design and make the best antenna analyzers in the world or the ones who write and sell the Family Treemaker genealogy software.


5 posted on 12/19/2023 1:35:06 AM PST by Mogger
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To: Mount Athos

Hold recruiting drives in every Ivy League University.
“Rich Kids to the Trenches!”
What a way to spend your summer.


6 posted on 12/19/2023 1:39:01 AM PST by MCF (If my home can't be my Castle, then it will be my Alamo)
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To: Mogger

As best as I can tell (without getting down in the weeds) RigExpert and their contract manufacturer are still in business there. But a couple of their more techy folks might be useful in electromagnetic warfare (lots of resources, both Ukrainian and Russian, being devoted to this) development work and thus subject to being involuntarily drafted for that work.


7 posted on 12/19/2023 2:17:56 AM PST by House Atreides (I’m now ULTRA-MAGA. -PRO-MAX)
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To: Mount Athos

Some of those potential recruits are
walking the streets of North America.


8 posted on 12/19/2023 2:41:54 AM PST by period end of story (Unvaxxed for my protection.)
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To: Mount Athos

I imagine that Ukraine is struggling to find any kind of recruits


9 posted on 12/19/2023 3:11:05 AM PST by Nifster ( I see puppy dogs in the clouds )
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To: Mount Athos

I imagine that Ukraine is struggling to find any kind of recruits


10 posted on 12/19/2023 3:13:51 AM PST by Nifster ( I see puppy dogs in the clouds )
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To: Mount Athos

Killed all the good ones already.


11 posted on 12/19/2023 3:42:30 AM PST by struggle
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To: Nifster

“I imagine that Ukraine is struggling to find any kind of recruits.”
**************

I’ve noticed that most of the illegals coming across our border are healthy military are men. So, why not round them up and ship them to fight in the z Ukraine military? Could be an Ukraine Foreign Legion so to speak. Eventually, if they survive, they would be offered Ukraine citizenship.


12 posted on 12/19/2023 3:43:23 AM PST by snoringbear (,W,E.oGovernment is the Pimp, )
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To: Mount Athos

Can’t imagine throwing a son into that meat grinder. Where are all the frauds calling for a ceasefire in Gaza? No, Russia must be repelled at all costs to us and every last Ukrainian man’s life.


13 posted on 12/19/2023 4:13:45 AM PST by MountainWalker
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To: Mount Athos

The Uke’s wrecked a generation of their best men
The foreign mercs are dead, injured, or went home
The Uke’s and NATO lost their war of aggression


14 posted on 12/19/2023 4:16:50 AM PST by Steven Tyler
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To: Rocco DiPippo

Every poser who put a Uke flag on their profile, or repeats like a parrot “I stand with Uke” goes and fights in the trenches


15 posted on 12/19/2023 4:22:14 AM PST by Steven Tyler
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To: Mount Athos
Article; "Russia is suffering immense casualties—but it has the edge in manpower"

Send more weapons to Ukraine.

Destroying our enemies military without one US injury or death is a worthwhile goal and an important warning to China. US spent 5% of its military budget(Donating mostly older weapons) to destroy half of Russia’s capability with the help of Ukraine.

16 posted on 12/19/2023 4:24:58 AM PST by tlozo ( Better to Die on Your Feet than Live on Your Knees )
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To: tlozo

Russia has the edge in filth and scum. Russian chauvinists like Putin are more than happy to send Russian murderers, rapists and drunks to their deaths in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine is suffering another horrible genocide at the hands of Kremlin filth and is losing an entire generation of potential leaders.


17 posted on 12/19/2023 4:30:57 AM PST by lodi90
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To: tlozo

“Destroying our enemies military without one US injury or death is a worthwhile goal”

Tell us, where does hundreds of thousands of dead Ukrainians fit into your plans and computations? Do they really mean nothing to you? These screaming Ukrainians pushed into vans and dumped into trenches? Is this really a “pro Ukrainian” goal and result?

I personally know Ukrainians who are desperately trying to avoid conscription for themselves and their sons right now.

Or do you believe the big lie that Ukrainians are super eager to die this way? How about hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who lose their limbs? This is your vision of a great future and progress?


“US spent 5% of its military budget(Donating mostly older weapons) to destroy half of Russia’s capability with the help of Ukraine.”

Russia’s military is far stronger and larger today than it was when the conflict started. Your idea of progress is total delusion


18 posted on 12/19/2023 4:43:12 AM PST by Mount Athos
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To: Mount Athos
Tell us, where does hundreds of thousands of dead Ukrainians fit into your plans and computations?

Right, its news to you, that people fighting against evil, die. Okay

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial


19 posted on 12/19/2023 4:58:02 AM PST by tlozo ( Better to Die on Your Feet than Live on Your Knees )
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To: Mount Athos
This is your vision of a great future and progress?


20 posted on 12/19/2023 4:59:51 AM PST by tlozo ( Better to Die on Your Feet than Live on Your Knees )
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