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Ukraine to boost armed forces to 250,000 within a month — Defense Minister

According to earlier Stepan Poltorak's statement, six mechanized brigades, a mountain infantry division, three artillery brigades and two army aviation brigades will be created

KIEV, March 18. /TASS/. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry is to increase the size of the armed forces from 232,000 to 250,000 troops within a month’s time, Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak told reporters on Wednesday.

"The size of the army will be reduced because of demobilization, but, at the same time, we will hold mobilization, which will allow to bring the total size of the army to the number envisaged by the law — 250,000 troops," the Minister said.

Earlier, Poltorak said that the size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces would be increased, adding that six mechanized brigades, a mountain infantry division, three artillery brigades and two army aviation brigades will be created.

The fourth wave of mobilization in Ukraine began on January 20, with 50,000 Ukrainians subject to conscription to be drafted. Kiev will hold several additional stages of mobilization in April and June. Overall, up to 150,000 people are to be drafted this year.