[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Ukraine Was a Military Power 30 Years Ago

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[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Attention is focused on the military power of Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia. Currently ranked only 22nd in the world, Ukraine was a military powerhouse ranked 4th globally just 30 years ago.

According to the recent national rankings released by 'Global Fire Power' (GFP), which evaluates the world's military strength annually, '2nd place' Russia has a total force of 1.35 million personnel, including 850,000 active-duty troops and 250,000 reservists. In contrast, '22nd place' Ukraine has only 500,000 personnel, with 200,000 active-duty troops and 250,000 reservists.

However, 30 years ago, Ukraine was the 4th strongest military power in the world. When Ukraine gained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991, no country underestimated Ukraine due to the nuclear weapons left behind by the USSR. But in December 1994, Ukraine signed the 'Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances' with the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, and others, handing over all nuclear weapons?which at the time ranked 3rd in the world by quantity?to Russia in exchange for guarantees of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Since then, its military power began to decline.

Currently, there is a clear gap between the military strengths of Ukraine and Russia, leading to increased support from various countries. So far, 19 countries, including the United States, have provided or expressed willingness to provide various weapons and military supplies to Ukraine.

There is also a growing willingness among volunteer soldiers to join the fight to help Ukraine. About 150 former British Army paratroopers have left for Ukraine amid legal controversies. Additionally, around 20 combatants from the 'Forward Observation Group' (FOG), composed of former U.S. Army and Marine Corps personnel, reportedly arrived in Kyiv at the end of last month and are currently active.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Facebook, "More and more occupying forces (Russian troops) are fleeing back to Russia as those who drive out the enemy with all weapons such as 'Javelins', guns, tanks, and helicopters advance."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.