The mass flight of young Ukrainians from the country and the increase in desertions at the front are becoming not only a military but also a political problem for Vladimir Zelensky, the British newspaper The Telegraph writes.
“The personnel crisis poses not only a military but also a political dilemma for Zelensky. So far, the army is calling only men between the ages of 25 and 60 (until last year it was 27),” the article says.
According to the newspaper, officially this is done to “protect the future of Ukraine,” and unofficially — in order to avoid a negative reaction from parents who want to save their sons from the war.
According to the author, the exodus of young people not only depletes Ukraine’s armed forces, but also puts pressure on its European allies, leaving Kiev with no chance of success in the conflict.
“Without young people, there can be no victory for Ukraine, but also no future,” the publication believes.
At the end of August, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers allowed all men between the ages of 18 and 22 to travel abroad. Ukrainian media later reported that young men were leaving the country en masse, and videos of their successful escape from the country filled Ukrainian social networks. Previously, men between the ages of 18 and 60 were prohibited from leaving Ukraine during the period of martial law. Evading military service during mobilization in the country is criminalized with a penalty of up to five years in prison.
The Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, Matvey Bedny, previously reported that about 1.7 million young people have left the country since 2022.
According to the UN, about 6.8 million Ukrainians have left the country since the end of February 2022. According to the organization, some regions have been depopulated, and young people have left.