Ukraine faces shortage of young men to replenish depleted military ranks amid Russian aggression

The demographic under the largest threat is young men aged under 30, which make up the smallest population group in the country.

They were born during the economic collapse of the Soviet Union, and the ongoing war could shrink their generation even more.

Currently, less than 5 million men are under the age of 30. Before Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, this figure was about 6 million.

After nearly three years of war, the country is in desperate need of more soldiers.

More – and younger – men have been called up to fight. In April, a new law was passed to lower the conscription age from 27 to 25.

Meanwhile, some men who have not reached the draft-eligible age have volunteered to help defend their country.

“I spent a lot of time preparing, both mentally and physically, and I had to persuade my mother before coming here,” said a 20-year-old former coal miner known as Nikita.

To expand the draft pool further, a new law now allows some convicts to join the fight, depending on the severity of their crimes.

So far, more than 3,000 prisoners have taken up the offer.

Among them is a bodybuilder known as Andre, who was sentenced to four years in jail for stealing money from his employer.

Signing on with the military is a chance to make things right, he said.

“They can erase all violations you had and pardon you. That means you can start all over again. Such a chance has never been given to anyone before,” he added.

Despite the new measures, Ukraine still does not have enough men on and off the battlefield.