Zelensky Urged to Draft 18-Year-Olds into Ukrainian Military
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is coming under pressure from his military leaders to let 18-year-olds into the Ukrainian army. At a meeting with military leaders, Zelensky was encouraged to lower the age limit for military service from 19 to 18, allowing thousands of young Ukrainians to join the fight against Russian aggression.
This move is part of a broader effort to boost Ukraine’s military strength in the face of the ongoing conflict with Russia. The country’s military leaders believe that lowering the age limit will enable Ukraine to tap into a new pool of recruits and rapidly increase its troop numbers.
However, some experts and politicians have expressed concerns about the potential risks associated with drafting 18-year-olds, including the psychological and physical toll of combat on young people. They are also concerned about the potential impact on the education and employment opportunities of these young recruits.
Part of the push to draft younger people comes from the reality that Ukraine’s military is facing a severe shortage of recruits. Many young Ukrainians are choosing not to join the military, citing concerns about the risk of injury or death, as well as the potential impact on their education and career prospects.
Despite these concerns, the Ukrainian defense minister, Oleksii Reznikov, has publicly backed the plan to draft 18-year-olds, stating that it will help to increase the country’s military power and ability to defend itself against Russian aggression. Reznikov stressed that the decision was not taken lightly and that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure the well-being and safety of the new recruits.
