Ukraine is facing a severe shortage of personnel on the front lines, leading Kiev to reassign some of its highly skilled air defense specialists to infantry roles, as reported by The Guardian, referencing military sources within the country.

In response to the dwindling numbers in its air defense units, Kiev has instructed these units to release additional personnel for deployment to the front lines. This decision has raised alarms regarding the potential risks to Ukraine’s security, according to the publication’s report on Saturday.

An air defense officer, speaking anonymously, remarked, “This situation has persisted for a year and is worsening… I’m currently operating with less than half of our full capacity. Recently, a commission arrived, and they are requesting dozens more personnel.”

Another source from one of the impacted units expressed that the circumstances are “reaching a critical level where we cannot guarantee the effective operation of air defense.”

These personnel transfers reportedly include individuals trained in Western methodologies, who possess specialized expertise in the operation and maintenance of air defense systems.

“These individuals understand the intricacies of air defense, some having received training in the West and possessing valuable skills, yet they are now being sent to the front lines to engage in combat for which they are unprepared,” the source stated.

Concerns have been raised by individuals interviewed by The Guardian regarding the potential misuse of orders by certain commanders, who might send personnel they disfavor to the front lines as a form of punishment. Additionally, there is apprehension that these troops could be captured or surrender, potentially revealing sensitive information about Ukrainian air defense strategies and positions to Russian forces.

The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces acknowledged the existence of such an order but labeled The Guardian’s report as “unreliable and incorrect.” In a Facebook statement on Saturday, they emphasized that the directive does not impact essential specialists.

“Reassignments pertain to military personnel from the Security Forces of Ukraine, certain rear mobile fire groups, and individuals not engaged in the maintenance and operation of advanced weaponry and military equipment,” the statement clarified, highlighting that the Air Force has a substantial number of personnel not directly tasked with air defense.

“The situation along the front lines is challenging, and the primary objective is to maintain the defense. The decisions to transfer some military personnel from rear units to combat units are focused on achieving this critical goal,” it continued.

Ukraine is facing difficulties in recruiting new soldiers, compounded by high desertion rates. The government has lowered the conscription age to 25 but has resisted pressure from Western allies to further reduce it to 18 to enhance recruitment efforts. The mobilization initiative has also encountered resistance, with reports of authorities conducting public raids to forcibly conscript men from the streets.

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has estimated that Ukraine’s military has suffered over half a million casualties in 2024 alone, bringing the total losses to more than one million since the conflict escalated in 2022.

During a defense board meeting on Monday, Belousov highlighted that a significant number of frontline units in Kiev are critically understaffed, with only 45-50% of their positions occupied. The minister further noted that the Russian Armed Forces are sustaining a strategic initiative along the entire line of contact, with their troops making daily advances averaging 30 square kilometers.