Young Lives Caught in the Crossfire: Russian School-Leavers Enlist in the Ukraine War

As the war in Ukraine rages on, new recruits from Russia, particularly fresh school-leavers, are finding themselves on the front lines. With the easing of enlistment rules, many young men are signing contracts to join the army, often lured by financial incentives and patriotic propaganda, only to face deadly consequences shortly after deployment.

Vladimir Putin has consistently asserted that no 18-year-olds would be sent to fight in Ukraine; however, a recent investigation by BBC Russian uncovered that at least 245 soldiers of that age have lost their lives in the conflict over the last two years. Newly implemented government regulations now allow teens fresh out of school to enlist directly into the Russian army as contract soldiers, bypassing traditional military service.

Although they represent just a small percentage of overall Russian casualties, the allure of monetary bonuses and pro-war messaging have made such enlistment choices appealing, especially in economically disadvantaged regions. For instance, Alexander Petlinsky signed up just weeks after his 18th birthday, only to be killed in Ukraine 20 days later—one among hundreds of thousands of Russians who have died in this ongoing war that has also claimed at least 13,500 Ukrainian civilians since the invasion began in February 2022.

Petlinsky's aunt, Ekaterina, recounted his aspirations of becoming a doctor, having secured a position at a medical college in Chelyabinsk. However, fueled by a desire to serve his country, he chose to enlist. In stark contrast, Ukraine has set the call-up age for military service at 25.

To avert a nationwide conscription, Russia has offered substantial financial incentives to entice men of fighting age into military service, particularly attractive in impoverished areas with limited employment opportunities. Initially, candidates were required to serve a minimum of three months as conscripts before signing up as contract soldiers, but this requirement was quietly relaxed in April 2023 despite concerns raised by some lawmakers.

Moreover, the education system in Russia has been contributing to a culture of military service. Under new laws, teachers are mandated to conduct classes about the "special military operation." On top of that, returned soldiers visit schools to share their experiences, and lessons now include practical skills like making camouflage materials and trench candles. Recently integrated into the curriculum is a subject reminiscent of Soviet times, teaching high schoolers to handle weapons such as Kalashnikov rifles and grenades as part of "The Basics of Safety and Homeland Defence."

Vitaly Ivanov, who grew up in a remote Siberian village, faced legal troubles that shaped his decision-making. After dropping out of college, he felt compelled to enlist, and his last message to his mother disclosed he was going into combat, marking an abrupt end to his aspirations for a different future. Tragically, Vitaly was killed just a month after reaching the front lines.

According to BBC Russian, which meticulously tracked fatalities using publicly available data, 245 18-year-old contract soldiers have perished in Ukraine since the enlistment rules were relaxed in April 2023. Overall, approximately 2,812 men aged 18-20 years are estimated to have died in the war. The BBC's research indicates that these figures considerably understate the actual losses, as not all deaths are made public.

By the end of July, the BBC identified the names of over 120,000 Russian soldiers killed throughout the war, projecting that actual fatalities may range from 185,000 to 267,000, suggesting a significantly higher toll may exist than officially reported. Alexander Petlinsky's mother expressed pride in her son's courage but lamented the profound loss of his young life. Friends of many affected now grapple with the heavy realities of young people naively signing contracts, unaware of the grim responsibilities that await them on the battlefield.