In the rural village of Makiv in southwest Ukraine, a palpable absence hangs in the air. Men of fighting age are scarce, having been drafted, injured, killed, or gone into hiding to avoid the war. Larysa Bodna, deputy director of a local school, succinctly puts it: “Most of them are gone.” With Ukraine’s forces severely depleted and Russia maintaining numerical superiority, Kyiv is considering lowering the draft age from 27 to 25, exacerbating the strain on communities like Makiv. Military recruiters, driven by the urgent need for more troops, patrol the near-empty streets, indiscriminately grabbing any eligible men they can find.
The impact on village life is profound and wrenching. Locals have taken to Telegram channels to alert each other about the presence of soldiers, with some reports depicting forced recruitment as akin to kidnappings. The impact on families is stark, with young Polina recounting how her father remains one of the few draft-eligible men left, her anxiety over his potential conscription palpable.
The severity of the situation is brought home by the story of Eleanora Voropanova, a 4-year-old girl, who, upon being asked if her parents were home, replied: “Mom is home. Dad is at war.” Her mother, Tanya, has not heard from her husband since he joined the army and went missing in November. Such stories are common in Makiv, reflecting a broader crisis where the women and children are often left behind, unsure if their loved ones are alive or dead.
The draft drive has not only affected men but also the entire community’s morale and future. Tetiana Lychak, a teacher whose husband was killed on the front line, contemplates joining the army herself. Her young son speaks of enlisting when he grows up, and she reflects on whether her turn to fight has come.
Meanwhile, in Kamyanets-Podilsky, a small city a short distance from Makiv, a gallery honors the dead, with each photo representing a local man or woman who has died fighting for Ukraine.
As the war continues, the question of how to replenish the ranks of the Ukrainian army remains a contentious issue. President Volodymyr Zelensky faces a significant challenge to his leadership as he navigates the political minefield of increasing troop numbers. Discontent simmers within the Ukrainian parliament and society at large over mobilization strategies, with many fearing being drafted into a potentially ill-equipped and under-supported army.
Relevant articles:
– In this Ukrainian village,almost no men are left
– Zelensky in bind over how to draft more troops as Russian forces advance, The Washington Post, Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT
– Ukraine cracks down on draft-dodging as it struggles to find troops, The Washington Post, Fri, 08 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT
– Russia’s ‘catastrophic’ missing men problem, The Week, Sat, 05 Nov 2022 09:57:28 GMT