More than two years after the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the Ukrainian army continues to demonstrate its strength and resilience.
According to the 2023 Global Firepower ranking, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have significantly improved their position, rising from 22nd to 15th place in the world’s military power rankings, according to Visit Ukraine.
This growth is impressive against the backdrop of strong opposition against one of the world’s largest armies, the Russian army, which still holds the second place in this ranking.
The size of the Ukrainian army
According to Global Firepower, as of 2023, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have about 500,000 military personnel. Of these, 200,000 are active duty personnel, and 250,000 are part of the reserve forces.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the size of the Ukrainian army has grown rapidly: from 261,000 in 2021 to 700,000 in 2023. This rapid growth was made possible by the mobilization and readiness of the Ukrainian people to defend their country.
Advantages of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The Ukrainian army has several key advantages over the Russian army. One of them is the high level of qualification of Ukrainian military personnel. Prior to the full-scale invasion, approximately 420,000 Ukrainian soldiers had experience in combat operations, which greatly increases the effectiveness of Ukrainian forces on the battlefield.
In addition, the Armed Forces of Ukraine enjoy significant support from the international community, receiving modern weapons and technology.
Conclusion
In 2023, the Ukrainian army became significantly stronger and received international recognition of its power. Increased numbers, support from allies, and a high level of training enable the Armed Forces to effectively counter the much larger Russian military forces.
