NEW YORK, November 29. /TASS/. The Ukrainian armed forces are facing a severe shortage of manpower, and the situation is critical for Kiev, a Ukrainian military officer told CNN.

"The situation is very critical," the TV channel quoted the officer as saying. According to him, Ukraine is also struggling with a lack of personnel. Ukrainian troops are also concerned that Russia "could make a significant breakthrough," he emphasized.

Earlier reports indicated that an official in the Biden administration had surmised that Ukrainian forces need more manpower. According to him, mobilization and efforts to increase troop numbers could help reverse the tide for Kiev. However, the official acknowledged that Russian forces have made significant progress recently, particularly in pushing the Ukrainians back in the Kursk region.

Ukraine announced general mobilization in February 2022, which has been extended periodically since then. On May 18, a law tightening mobilization rules came into force in Ukraine. However, in recent months, Ukraine has been replenishing its troops at a slower pace, and the critical shortage of manpower in its army has become a serious issue. In this context, territorial conscription offices have increasingly resorted to coercive measures in their mobilization efforts. Protests against actions by military recruitment officers have occurred sporadically, with residents setting fire to their cars and post offices through which military summonses are sent nationwide.