UKRAINE: KYIV SAYS IT NEEDS 30,000 NEW TROOPS EVERY MONTH TO HOLD CURRENT FRONT LINES
Ukraine must mobilize at least 30,000 people every month to maintain its current positions along the front line, according to Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, in an interview published on Friday, August 28.
Budanov said Ukraine’s armed forces would struggle to sustain the current battlefield situation with fewer recruits.
“We cannot mobilize fewer than 30,000 people per month,” he said, according to Ukrainska Pravda.
He also acknowledged growing controversy surrounding allegations of forced mobilization. According to Budanov, such cases do exist, and Ukrainian authorities need to review and improve their recruitment methods. However, he stressed that potential reforms would not change the military’s fundamental need for a steady influx of new personnel.
The comments come as Ukrainian intelligence claims that Russia is preparing a new recruitment drive that could involve up to 600,000 people during 2026–2027. Kyiv believes Moscow is seeking to replenish its forces and compensate for battlefield losses.
At the same time, Budanov suggested that negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow could potentially resume as early as September, although diplomatic efforts remain stalled for now.
The situation highlights the enormous manpower pressures facing both sides as the war continues, with Ukraine seeking to maintain its defensive positions while Russia reportedly prepares for another major expansion of its forces.