Fresh out of high school, many Russian teenagers are trading textbooks for military contracts—only to lose their lives on the battlefield in Ukraine. Despite official assurances that 18-year-olds would not be deployed, evidence suggests hundreds have perished in the war.
Recent policy changes allow graduates to skip mandatory conscription and enlist directly as contract soldiers. While financial incentives and patriotic fervor drive recruitment, the consequences have been devastating for families across Russia.
One such recruit, Alexander Petlinsky, had aspirations of becoming a doctor. But within weeks of turning 18, he signed a military contract and was sent to the front lines. Twenty days later, he was dead. His aunt recalled his conflicting dreams—medicine and war—before his life was cut short.
The Russian government has avoided mass mobilization by offering lucrative enlistment bonuses, particularly appealing to young men in economically depressed regions. Previously, recruits needed prior military experience, but that requirement was scrapped in 2023, opening the door for teenagers to join immediately after graduation.
Schools have also played a role in shaping young minds for war. Since the invasion began, students have been subjected to military-themed lessons, including weapons training and patriotic indoctrination. Returning soldiers visit classrooms, while children as young as kindergarteners send letters and drawings to troops.
For some, military service appears to be a last resort. Vitaly Ivanov, a college dropout from Siberia, faced legal troubles before enlisting. His family suspects authorities pressured him into signing a contract. Days after deployment, he was killed in combat, leaving behind a grieving mother who had hoped for a different future for her son.
Independent research indicates at least 245 confirmed deaths of 18-year-old contract soldiers since the recruitment rules were relaxed. The actual toll is likely far higher, as not all casualties are publicly reported. In total, thousands of young Russian men aged 18 to 20 have died in the conflict.
For parents like Elena Petlinskaya, pride in their sons’ service is overshadowed by unbearable loss. “As a citizen, I am proud,” she said. “But as a mother, I cannot cope.” Meanwhile, friends of the fallen express frustration over the naivety of young recruits, many of whom fail to grasp the irreversible consequences of their decisions.
As the war drags on, Russia continues to rely on its youth to fill the ranks—often with tragic results.
