What happened happened in almost all long-term conflicts. In fact, the same thing happened to the Nazis with the organization called Hitlerjugend, which tried to instill the ideology in young people. Towards the end of World War II, when Germany faced a military shortage, it turned to thousands of inexperienced young people for emergency situations. We do not know whether the end of the conflict in Ukraine is near, but personnel shortages bring us closer to 1940.

Ukraine dilemma. Ukraine currently faces a serious dilemma over whether to lower the draft age to 18. It’s a move that could help alleviate troop shortages in the conflict against Russia. It’s a debate that’s emerging under increasing pressure from the United States and other Western allies, who now see personnel shortages as more critical than weapons shortages.

Context, oppression and resistance. Since the beginning of the Russian occupation, the country has chosen to ban the recruitment of 18-year-olds, something common in the militaries of warring countries. The current minimum age for compulsory service is 25, which is quite high compared to other countries. This policy surprised some Western allies, who felt that increased mobilization was necessary to resist Russia’s offensive. In fact, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the urgency of having enough troops on the front lines.

Despite international demands, many Ukrainian leaders and citizens reject the idea of ​​drafting 18-year-old males into the military. They think that young people represent the future of the country and should be protected. This generation, free from Soviet influence, is seen as the key to the reconstruction of Ukraine in the long term. In April, President Zelensky lowered the maximum draft age from 27 to 25 and eliminated several exemptions to increase military ranks. However, progress has been limited. It was expected that 200 thousand new soldiers would be recruited this year, but this number appears to be insufficient to meet the needs of the conflict.

To hire or not to hire. Voluntary military service also declined, as most men who wanted to enlist did so in the early stages of the war. This led to alternative proposals by Commander Yuriy Fedorenko, who proposed compulsory military service for men and women from the age of 18, but recommended an initial training period of five years before being sent to war.

A Reuters report described several cases. While some young people, like Roman Biletskyi, flee Ukraine before turning 18 to avoid the possibility of conflict, others, like Andriy Kotyk, decide to join the army. Biletskyi, now a student in Slovakia, left home “on a one-way ticket” and described the farewell as a cold, emotionless decision. Kotyk, who enlisted in the military in 2022 after reaching the age of majority, thinks that it is his duty to defend his country despite the risks and profound changes that the war brings to his life.

The impact of youth migration. It is another of the legs and consequences of war. It is estimated that more than 190,000 Ukrainian youth have sought temporary asylum in the European Union since the beginning of the conflict. Youth migration increases demographic, economic and military challenges; The average age of Ukrainian soldiers is around 40. Paradox: The lack of young people in military ranks has led to criticism of those who left the country, reflecting a divisive debate over wartime responsibilities.

A breeding ground with the most uncertain outcome. The war exhausted and aged Ukrainian troops; According to Volodymyr Davydiuk, a recruiter in the Third Assault Brigade, young soldiers are vital because of their greater stamina and motivation. However, as we said, attracting young people to the military remains a challenge; The majority of “new” soldiers are 32 years old and over.

Russia case. There is no doubt that the war also harms young Russians. Although the country has reduced unemployment to historically low levels (2.3% last October), it faces a severe labor shortage that is significantly impacting its economy. This deficit, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, causes companies in the country to look for workers among young people, retirees and foreigners, while wages rise and inflation threatens to further destabilize the outlook.

Causes of famine in Russia. A few, but mainly immigration and military mobilization. We must add to this that the economically active population is rapidly aging. Companies are having difficulty replacing workers who have reached retirement age due to insufficient inflow of new employees.

All this has led to a doubling of the demand for young workers (16-18 years old). Some establishments, such as hotels in Moscow, hire students for basic roles because even high salaries fail to attract enough candidates. In addition, we should not forget about the flexibility of the Russian labor market, because according to the law, adolescents can work with their parents’ permission from the age of 14. Companies are turning to this age group to fill key positions.

Patriotic programs. From a “military” perspective, Russia pursues a broad state strategy aimed at instilling nationalist values ​​and loyalty to the Putin regime among young people through educational initiatives and youth organizations. For example, the First Movement, created in 2022 on the model of the Young Pioneers of the Soviet era, promotes ideological activities such as writing letters to soldiers in Ukraine or the Youth Army, which has more than 1.6 million members since its founding. In 2016, he educates young people on ideological and military issues, preparing them for possible careers in the armed forces. It is estimated that the country will spend $500 million on these “patriotic projects” in 2024 alone.

Also in September, the UK Ministry of Defense announced that Russia was launching a new military training module for 15 to 18-year-olds “with the aim of creating a more security-oriented society”. The text explained that the education was aimed at increasing the prestige of military service, instilling patriotism, civic responsibility, and essentially preparing adolescents physically and mentally for military service.

Until the war is over. In the case of Russia, conflict leads to meaningless words. Labor shortages fueled by war and demographic shifts target the youngest people trying to alleviate labor shortages while encouraging patriotism to enter the war.

Across the street, Ukraine is waging its own struggle to maintain the line between coming of age and conscription. Uncertainty regarding Western support, destruction of systems such as electricity, troop needs, or Russian advances complicate any efforts to maintain the status quo. In fact, the country’s historically low birth rate raises questions about the sustainability of the mass recruitment model. A not insignificant dilemma. It will affect not only the dynamics of the war, but also the social and political future of the nation.

Image | IToldYa

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