Ukraine had only a very small military pre-2014. They had almost nothing which is why Azov and a dozen other nazi volunteer battalions were relied upon for the civil war in Donbas.
Also because the civil war was driven by the coup and unpopular with the people. The Ukrainians had a huge problem with recruitment and then with suicides, desertions, and side-switching before they brought in the mercenaries.
Ukraine had only a very small military pre-2014. They had almost nothing which is why Azov and a dozen other nazi volunteer battalions were relied upon for the civil war in Donbas.
https://i.imgur.com/acHaoJU.png
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Also because the civil war was driven by the coup and unpopular with the people. The Ukrainians had a huge problem with recruitment and then with suicides, desertions, and side-switching before they brought in the mercenaries.