Ukraine’s severe soldier shortage is pushing teenagers like Kyrylo Horbenko into deadly combat, highlighting the nation’s manpower crisis.
Ukraine’s war with Russia is forcing the country to deploy its youngest soldiers, including 18-year-old Kyrylo Horbenko, who joined the military immediately after turning 18. “Our generation was brought up to defend our country,” he said before being killed in combat while reinforcing a Ukrainian position in Pokrovsk.
Defense officials say millions are evading the draft, leaving older and inexperienced soldiers on the front lines. Rob Lee, a military analyst, warned, “Manpower is likely the single most important factor that will determine how 2026 goes for Ukraine on the battlefield.”