Ukrainian Defense Forces Eliminate Nearly 20,000 Russian Occupants Under 25 Years Old
During Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have successfully eliminated nearly 20,000 Russian occupants who were under the age of 25 at the time of their deaths, according to a report by the Russian service of the BBC.
During the ongoing conflict that escalated with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have managed to eliminate almost 20,000 Russian soldiers who were younger than 25 years old at the time of their deaths. This information was disclosed by the Russian service of the BBC on Friday, April 3, citing a named list of confirmed losses of Russian servicemen, which is compiled in collaboration with the publication Mediazona and volunteers based on open sources.
According to the journalists' findings, the youngest Russian occupant at the time of elimination was merely 18 years and 31 days old. This statistic highlights the alarming trend of youth being actively recruited into military operations, despite the inherent risks and dangers associated with warfare.
In the spring of 2023, the State Duma of the Russian Federation passed amendments to legislation that allow individuals to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense immediately after finishing school, upon reaching the age of 18. This decision marks another step towards involving youth in the armed forces, as schools, colleges, and universities increasingly promote military enlistment among teenagers.
However, despite these legislative changes, there has not been a significant spike in the deaths of young people in the war against Ukraine in the year following the law's enactment. The number of eliminated Russian military personnel aged 18 to 25, which currently stands at least at 19,583, only began to rise from March 2024. This indicates that the new legislative initiatives have not led to an immediate increase in casualties among the youth.
It is noteworthy that in March 2024, an amendment was passed allowing individuals detained on suspicion of committing a crime to avoid trial and criminal responsibility if they sign a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense. This decision could potentially encourage young people to enlist in the military; however, the consequences of such a move could be tragic.
The proportion of Russian military casualties aged 18 to 25 among those whose ages are known is 11%. This statistic reveals that youth constitute a significant portion of the losses suffered by the Russian armed forces. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia has lost nearly 100,000 soldiers at the front in the past three months, with 90% of these losses attributed to Ukrainian drones.
According to data from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in the past day, the aggressor country, Russia, has lost approximately 1,230 soldiers. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, as of the morning of April 3, Russia's losses have reached 1,301,260 occupants, both killed and wounded. These figures confirm that the war is ongoing, and casualties on both sides remain significant.
Thus, the situation at the front remains tense, and the losses, particularly among the youth, are a cause for concern. The war continues to claim the lives of young individuals who may not have fully grasped the consequences of their choices.