Ukraine’s new Defense Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, has revealed that around two million Ukrainians are evading service in the war against Russia, and as many as 200,000 of the country’s soldiers are on unauthorized absence, meaning they have left their posts without permission.

Fedorov is the youngest person ever to hold the post of Ukraine’s defense minister – he turns 35 next week. He replaced Denys Shmyhal, who in turn became Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy due to the corruption scandal that has forced President Volodymyr Zelensky to reshuffle his inner circle and government.

READ ALSO: Government responds to Ukrainian corruption: “The information is very serious”

Ukraine’s wartime laws prohibit all men between the ages of 23 and 60 who are eligible for military service from leaving the country. Despite this, many have fled illegally by crossing the border through forest areas into the EU; others have remained abroad since the war began in spring 2022 or are hiding within the country’s borders.

Rumors of low morale and high rates of desertion have circulated in Ukraine for a long time, but Defense Minister Fedorov’s statements mark the first time a Ukrainian official has openly disclosed the scale of these problems.

It was during an address to Ukraine’s parliament on January 14th, ahead of the vote confirming him as the new head of defense, that Fedorov told the country’s lawmakers that two million Ukrainians are wanted for avoiding military service, according to reports from both the Ukrainian Kyiv Independent and American CNN.

READ ALSO: War critic and Zelensky’s presidential rival investigated for bribery: “Ukraine is ruled by a fascist regime”

An additional 200,000 soldiers have disappeared from their positions along the front lines (AWOL in military terms, Ed.). For several years, the Ukrainian military has been under heavy pressure in its attempt to defend the country against a much larger and stronger enemy, with military support from almost the entire Western world. Despite this, Ukraine continues to lose ground in the eastern part of the country, and mobilization issues have been singled out as particularly severe.

Last summer, Samnytt, citing Ukrainian media, reported that Ukraine’s military had, for the first time, begun actively recruiting women – something likely connected with the loss of men.

SEE VIDEO: Ukrainian refugees apprehended at the Romanian border

Another frequently highlighted issue is corruption, something Ukraine’s new defense minister also addressed in his speech to parliament. He emphasized that this must end.

Last summer, Kyiv Independent, citing Ukrainian media, noted that Ukraine’s military for the first time actively began recruiting women – a response to the shortage of men.

READ ALSO: Shortage of men – now women to fight for Ukraine

After a meeting with Fedorov, Zelensky also stated that “broader changes” are needed in the country’s mobilization process.

Ukrainians apprehended during escape attempt. Photo: Vitali Hlahola/Telegram

Reinfeldt: Ukrainians must fall for their freedom

Former Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has appeared in several media outlets as a security expert during the ongoing war. In a broadcast on SVT, the former Moderate Party leader said that Ukrainian women and men must be prepared to sacrifice their lives for their freedom and for Western values.

– It is Ukrainian women and men who are falling for their freedom but also for Western values, and unfortunately, this is how the war seems destined to be decided, said Reinfeldt in the interview.

READ ALSO: Reinfeldt: “Ukrainians must fall for their freedom”

This is also something the Swedish government, with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) and Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M), has frequently emphasized: that Sweden will support Ukraine for as long as necessary, and that Ukrainian soldiers are fighting for Europe’s values and security.

– The Ukrainian people are not only defending their own freedom, but ours as well. And we will continue to stand by Ukraine. On the side of freedom and democracy. On the right side of history. For as long as it takes, said Kristersson in a speech.