Thursday, February 22, 2024

Desperate for soldiers, Ukraine weighs draft expansion

When the Russian army mounted a full-scale invasion two years ago, Ukrainian men zealously rushed to recruitment centers across the country to enlist, ready to die in defense of their nation. Today, with Russia in control of roughly one-quarter of Ukraine and the two armies virtually deadlocked along a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, that spirit to enlist has faded: Many Ukrainian men are evading the draft by hiding at home or trying to bribe their way out of the battle.

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The parliament is considering legislation that would increase the potential pool of recruits by about 400,000, in part by lowering the enlistment age from 27 to 25. But the proposal is highly unpopular, forcing elected officials to grapple with questions that cut to the heart of nationhood: Can they convince enough citizens to sacrifice their lives? And, if not, are they willing to accept the alternative?

Comments

If they are only lowering their draft age by 2 years, then those young people got a serious break. Yes, a draft is highly unpopular. I know by personal experience, having been drafted at the age of 19. It's a major life changer for the draftee. Everything you had going on or thought you did, suddenly means little as your life takes a major upheaval.

The nation's leaders have to make that decision, do they get more soldiers for this war or do they just let the rest die and give up? Is it important enough to fight for or is the alternative acceptable? Are they in favor of the nation or more in favor of their personal fortune as a law maker? In doing so, every family effected will be for the most part teed off.

Some of those soldiers will return home on leave, some will return home with parts missing and reliving the horrors of a war, some will come home in a box. That is after all the nature of war.

#1 | Posted by BBQ at 2024-02-22 10:52 AM

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