Only 30% of sergeant positions in the Ukrainian armed forces
are currently filled, Third
Army Corps commander Andrii Biletskyi told NV on March 23.
Biletskyi suggested the figure would alarm any NATO country.
“Just so you understand: at the moment 30% of sergeant posts in the Ukrainian army are filled,” he said.
“I think any NATO country would be shocked if it heard that number, and that is a problem across all our units. This is not just about combat units; it may be even worse there.”
Ihor Obolenskyi, commander of the 2nd National Guard Corps, said the role of sergeants must remain central despite the shortfall.
“No officer receives a promotion without the approval of the chief sergeant,” Obolenskyi said.
“If the sergeant says no — that the candidate is unfit —
neither I nor Andriy [Biletskyi] will sign off on the promotion.”