BRUSSELS — Ukraine is facing a worsening shortage of soldiers as record numbers of men flee to Europe, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned in an interview.

“We have huge problems with soldiers — with human resources,” Klitschko told the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, of which POLITICO is a part, acknowledging the toll that nearly four years of war has taken on Ukraine’s capacity to replenish its ranks.

He said Russian troops are advancing relentlessly, describing their assaults as “like a computer game — they just keep coming, they don’t care about fallen soldiers.”

Under current rules, Ukrainians can be mobilized from the age of 25. Klitschko suggested that should change.

“In the past, 18-year-olds served in the army — but those are kids,” he said. “Right now you can only be mobilized in Ukraine from age 25. You could lower it by a year or two — to 23 or 22.”

The remarks reflect mounting concern about a growing exodus of young men. A government decree issued in August allowing men aged 18 to 22 to leave the country has coincided with a sharp increase in Ukrainians seeking protection in EU countries.

Recent data shows EU countries granted more than 79,000 new temporary protection decisions to Ukrainians in September — the highest monthly figure in two years — with large increases recorded in Germany and Poland.

Klitschko said the imbalance between Ukraine’s human resources and Russia’s sheer numbers is becoming more severe. “They [the Russians] have an order, and they advance,” he said. “We’ve defended our country successfully for almost four years, but it’s difficult. The courage to fight is still there — that matters greatly.”

With millions of Ukrainians now abroad, the Kyiv mayor said the country’s future depends on reversing that outflow once peace returns. “We would be happy if half of the younger people come back,” he said. “But for that, we need peace, jobs and a good quality of life. After the war, we face huge challenges.”