Ukraine has taken steps to address personnel shortages, but delays and shortfalls in Western military aid to Ukraine continue to limit its ability to create effective combat units that can defend critical areas and challenge theater-wide initiative.
This is stated in an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, said that these insufficient supplies, especially of armored vehicles and artillery ammunition, have led to losses of the Ukrainian military.
Chairman of the Defense Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Zavitnevich told the Financial Times on September 16 that the Ukrainian mobilization is "on plan" and that newly trained forces can "make an impact" on the battlefield probably in three months.
Ukrainian ground forces commander Lt. Gen. Oleksandr Pavlyuk said in May 2024 that Ukraine was working to form 10 new Ukrainian brigades, but that equipment, not manpower, was the main obstacle in Ukraine's defense operations.
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ISW has long appreciated that Ukraine's ability to defend against Russian offensive operations and contest the theater-wide initiative is highly dependent on both the provision of Western military assistance and Ukraine's efforts to rebuild existing and create new subdivisions - the latter of which Ukraine has taken significant steps to resolve the issue.
Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast has forced Russia to divert some defense resources from Ukraine to Russia, but that Ukraine still needs sufficient resources and Western permission to strike military targets in Russia, to to reduce pressure on Ukrainian forces throughout the theater.
Russia continues to build its long-term military capacity, gradually increasing the size of its armed forces.
Iran is simultaneously creating the conditions for the creation of a nuclear weapon while continuing to signal its willingness to resume nuclear negotiations with the West.
Selected officials of the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) continue to be accused of corruption as the Russian military leadership embarks on a broader effort to root out corruption in the MoD.
Ukrainian forces advanced in the Glushkovsky district of Kursk Oblast, and Russian forces regained territory in the area on September 16. Ukrainian and Russian forces have recently advanced into the Kursk region.
Ukrainian forces regained the territory near the city of Kharkiv and Pokrovsk.
Russian forces advanced near Kremenna, Chasov Yar, Pokrovsk and Vuhledar.
Russia reportedly continues to force migrants to fight in the Russian army.