September 21, 2024 | by Unboxify
When the Russian army invaded Ukraine in late February of 2022, many assumed that the young nation’s days were numbered. Yet, over a year later, the Ukrainian military still seems far from defeated, and the outcome of the conflict still hangs in the balance. How has Ukraine managed to not only withstand but sometimes counter one of the world’s most powerful military forces?
As the Soviet Union buckled under its own weight in 1991, Ukraine emerged as one of several newly independent nations from Eastern Europe. With collapse came inheritance, as Kyiv suddenly found itself in possession of a large chunk of the former Soviet military. This force included:
With such a formidable arsenal, Ukraine was among the largest militaries on the continent. However, maintaining such a force was costly and impractical at a time when a major European conflict seemed out of the question.
Faced with economic constraints, the Ukrainian government opted to significantly reduce the size of its military. Over 100,000 soldiers were discharged in the wake of budget cuts. Funds freed from these reforms were diverted to the development of a national arms industry. Commercially competitive, Ukrainian-manufactured tanks, APCs, and aircraft soon made their way onto the international market.
By 2003, the military reforms were officially completed, reducing the size of the Armed Forces to about 295,000 personnel. This number further decreased to approximately 130,000 by October 2013, after conscription ended.
On the geopolitical front, Ukraine was one of the first former Soviet bloc nations to foster closer relations with NATO. In 1995, NATO aided Ukraine during the Karkiv drinking water disaster. Two years later, the NATO-Ukraine Commission was established. By 2004, ties deepened with policies aimed at NATO cooperation and joint military exercises.
President Viktor Yushchenko, leading the country from 2005 to 2010, became the face of pro-Western alignment, pushing for total independence from Russia and seeking NATO membership. During the 2008 Bucharest Summit, NATO declared its openness to Ukraine’s membership, provided it met specific criteria.
This criteria included:
Despite the push, the Ukrainian government remained divided on NATO membership due to economic dependence on Russia. Militarily, Kyiv maintained close relations with Russia until the Fateful events of 2014, when Russian-backed separatist forces in the Donbass region rose in rebellion, and Russian troops moved to annex the Crimean Peninsula.
After these events, the Ukrainian military began an expansion period that continues today. Although the fighting up to 2022 was contained to the separatist regions, Russia’s influence was evident, and Kyiv feared a full-scale invasion. Investments in the Armed Forces grew exponentially, and by July 2022, the Ukrainian military numbered over 700,000 personnel.
By 2022, Ukraine’s defense budget skyrocketed to $8.3 billion, a number expected to increase further. The spectacular increase in spending has brought an influx of new weaponry and equipment. However, with ongoing fighting, assessing the operational equipment accurately is challenging. Equipment and vehicle types at the front are in constant flux due to sporadic armament deliveries from pro-Western nations.
Before receiving extensive Western equipment, the Ukrainian Army’s standard gear included:
Ukrainian military command has heavily invested in artillery capabilities, including locating radars, command and control systems, and drone forward observation units. The Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 armed drone has become crucial to military operations, with plans for local production in Kyiv.
The Armed Forces have also been supplied with:
The American Security Assistance Program alone has delivered $2.7 billion worth of weapons and equipment between 2014 and early 2022.
The Ukrainian Air Force has prioritized upgrading its extensive air defense network, utilizing its array of Soviet-era systems. Similarly, the Navy focuses on smaller vessels under the “Mosquito Doctrine,” envisioning rapid hit-and-run attacks against the larger Russian Navy.
Under the Soviet Union, all able-bodied males served two years in the Armed Forces or three in the Navy. Mandatory conscription was briefly stopped in 2013, making up 40% of the armed forces with conscripts and 60% with contract soldiers. However, impending conflict led to the reinstatement of conscription in 2014.
By 2017, over 14,000 individuals enlisted for contract service, although draft evasion remained an issue. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to end conscription by January 1, 2024, with an increase in professional servicemen. However, the Russian invasion disrupted these plans, leading to the popular mobilization and recruitment of prisoners with combat experience.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Donbass in 2014, the government identified critical weaknesses in the armed forces, including:
Sweeping reforms were directed under then-President Petro Poroshenko, emphasizing initiative at lower command levels. These reforms gained absolute priority and were set for completion within four years. By 2022, the Ukrainian Armed Forces had become far more formidable.
On February 24, 2022, Russian forces crossed into Ukraine from multiple fronts, targeting key centers such as Odesa and Kyiv. Despite their precarious position, the defense of Kyiv was vital in denying Russia a strategic objective. Displays of determination, such as the resistance in Mariupol, showcased the lengths Ukrainian volunteers were willing to go.
Since 2014, trench lines have played a crucial role in consolidating and holding territory. By 2022, major trench lines became pivotal in the static war, enabling resilience against further offensives. The Battle of Bakhmut highlighted Ukrainian soldiers’ determination, waiting for attrition to hinder enemy advances.
Within a span of 30 years, the Ukrainian military has transformed from a bloated relic of its Soviet past into a modern fighting force. Its rekindling of ties with NATO and the West has significantly contributed to this process. Unlike several other Western-backed militaries, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have surpassed expectations and continue to hold their own in what they believe to be a fight for their country’s very existence.
As the conflict continues, the resilience and evolution of the Ukrainian military serve as a testament to the nation’s determination. Enhanced by international support, strategic reforms, and the unyielding spirit of its people, Ukraine stands as an emblem of resistance against overwhelming odds.
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September 21, 2024 | by Unboxify
September 21, 2024 | by Unboxify
September 21, 2024 | by Unboxify
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