Over the Past eight months in Ukraine scheduled for the fourth head of the defense Ministry - it was Stepan Poltorak, which came in the post this week, informs its readers.

" After independence, Ukraine inherited a part of the once formidable army rotted from the top, " writes the magazine.

Constant number of military power of Ukraine inherited After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, at approximately 1 million people. For two decades she was reduced to 100 thousand But analysts say this figure is overestimated. When in the East of the country were started fighting, then head of the Ministry of defence Igor tenoh told Parliament that combat readiness is maintained on the strength of 6 thousand soldiers, declares the print edition.

Funding for the defense of the country From Soviet times has fallen many times. According to the information received, the Ministry of defense, last year the armed forces has been allocated $1, 9 billion, But only 10% was intended to modernize them. The last major military exercises took place in Ukraine 9 years ago.

Since 1991 the army did not receive a single combat aircraft, and air force of the country was reduced to three dozen fighters and a small number of obsolete helicopters, while in Soviet times, the air fleet was 1, 5 thousand aircraft.

The tragedy under the Transfer provided all the terrible state of the Ukrainian army. Thrown into battle troops were disarmed, poorly equipped and were starving, writes the Los Angeles Times.

sections: Politics