The US, which hasn't sent a single boot to the ground while propping up Ukraine with military aid, now wants Ukrainians as young as 18 to fight the war against Russia.

The Joe Biden administration is urging Ukraine to lower the minimum age for conscription for Ukrainians to 18, according to US media reports.

This is taking place even as the US is planning to send more arms to Ukraine, worth $725 million.

President Volodymir Zelenskyy is meanwhile going to raise taxes for Urkainians in order to improve funding for the war.

Citing a senior US official, the Associated Press news agency reported on Wednesday (Nov 27)&nbsp;that the request to lower the draft age is being made so that Ukraine can increase the size of its military.

The current conscription age for Ukraine is 25.

Watch: Gravitas | Russia Ukraine War: Russia's Military Might Continues to Grow 
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The age-lowering request is part of last-minute efforts for Ukraine before Biden leaves office in January 2025.&nbsp;

The new $725 million weapons package is another part of that effort, and will likely include land mines, drones, Stinger anti-air missiles, and Himars ammunition among other things, according to the AP report.

For context, the new military aid worth $725mn is far bigger than what Biden has so far spent using the PDA, or Presidential Drawdown Authority, for helping allies. A report in The Guardian noted that recent PDAs were between $125mn to $250mn.&nbsp;

So far, the US Congress had authorised up to $5 billion in PDA that Biden can use before Donald Trump takes over as president on 20 January, it noted.

Since the Russian operation started in 2022, the US has sent an estimated $56 bn in security aid to Russia.&nbsp;

Trump had vowed to end the war. This is being seen as a sign that the Republicans&nbsp;would stop giving military aid to Ukraine.

<h2>Why is Ukraine being asked to send 18-year-olds to war?</h2>

The AP report cited the official as saying that the ground situation 'pure math' shows Ukraine simply needs more troops on the ground, noting that Kyiv is not mobilising or training enough troops in place of soldiers it had lost.

Meanwhile, Russia is growing its troop strength, in addition to taking help from North Korea, which reportedly sent some 10,000 troops to help Moscow in the Ukraine war.

The White House assessment is that Ukraine has the required weapons, but not enough soldiers, unless it dramatically increases troop levels.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-considers-lowering-military-mobilisation-age-to-25-almost-two-years-into-war-with-russia-673603">Also read: Ukraine considers lowering military mobilisation age to 25, almost two years into war with Russia</a>

Earlier, White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said the US administration believes 'manpower is the most vital need' of Ukraine now.

“We’re also ready to ramp up our training capacity if they take appropriate steps to fill out their ranks,” Savett said in a statement.

<h2>The Ukraine troop situation: What's the reality?</h2>

As per Kyiv's estimates, Ukraine which has more than 1 million soldiers, needs 160,000 more, but the US thinks that's not enough.

The lack of troop presence might make it difficult for Ukraine to fight in the Kursk region, bordering Russia, in the US estimate. 
 
The Ukraine parliament passed a law to lower the age from 27 to 25 in April. Since then, thousands have gone into hiding to avoid the draft, according to reports.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-of-ukrainians-go-into-hiding-as-ukraine-expands-military-draft-report-734378">Also read: Thousands of Ukrainians go into hiding as Kyiv expands military draft: Report</a> 
 
Zelenskyy has often pushed back against lowering the age of conscription.

Domestic backlash and potential harm to Ukraine's economy could be part of the reasons.

There have often been reports of deserters and people going absent without leave.

So far, Ukraine has maintained that there's just not enough equipment to match the mobilisation.

The AP report cited a Ukrainian official who accused the West of trying to shift focus to draft age, away from their delays or late decisions in giving equipment.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US, which hasn't sent a single boot to the ground while propping up Ukraine with military aid, now wants Ukrainians as young as 18 to fight the war against Russia.

The US, which hasn't sent a single boot to the ground while propping up Ukraine with military aid, now wants Ukrainians as young as 18 to fight the war against Russia. The Joe Biden administration is urging Ukraine to lower the minimum age for conscription for Ukrainians to 18, according to US media reports. This is taking place even as the US is planning to send more arms to Ukraine, worth $725 million. President Volodymir Zelenskyy is meanwhile going to raise taxes for Urkainians in order to improve funding for the war. Citing a senior US official, the Associated Press news agency reported on Wednesday (Nov 27) that the request to lower the draft age is being made so that Ukraine can increase the size of its military. The current conscription age for Ukraine is 25. Watch: Gravitas | Russia Ukraine War: Russia's Military Might Continues to Grow × The age-lowering request is part of last-minute efforts for Ukraine before Biden leaves office in January 2025. The new $725 million weapons package is another part of that effort, and will likely include land mines, drones, Stinger anti-air missiles, and Himars ammunition among other things, according to the AP report. For context, the new military aid worth $725mn is far bigger than what Biden has so far spent using the PDA, or Presidential Drawdown Authority, for helping allies. A report in The Guardian noted that recent PDAs were between $125mn to $250mn. So far, the US Congress had authorised up to $5 billion in PDA that Biden can use before Donald Trump takes over as president on 20 January, it noted. Since the Russian operation started in 2022, the US has sent an estimated $56 bn in security aid to Russia. Trump had vowed to end the war. This is being seen as a sign that the Republicans would stop giving military aid to Ukraine. Why is Ukraine being asked to send 18-year-olds to war? The AP report cited the official as saying that the ground situation 'pure math' shows Ukraine simply needs more troops on the ground, noting that Kyiv is not mobilising or training enough troops in place of soldiers it had lost. Meanwhile, Russia is growing its troop strength, in addition to taking help from North Korea, which reportedly sent some 10,000 troops to help Moscow in the Ukraine war. The White House assessment is that Ukraine has the required weapons, but not enough soldiers, unless it dramatically increases troop levels. Also read: Ukraine considers lowering military mobilisation age to 25, almost two years into war with Russia Earlier, White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said the US administration believes 'manpower is the most vital need' of Ukraine now. “We’re also ready to ramp up our training capacity if they take appropriate steps to fill out their ranks,” Savett said in a statement. The Ukraine troop situation: What's the reality? As per Kyiv's estimates, Ukraine which has more than 1 million soldiers, needs 160,000 more, but the US thinks that's not enough. The lack of troop presence might make it difficult for Ukraine to fight in the Kursk region, bordering Russia, in the US estimate. The Ukraine parliament passed a law to lower the age from 27 to 25 in April. Since then, thousands have gone into hiding to avoid the draft, according to reports. Also read: Thousands of Ukrainians go into hiding as Kyiv expands military draft: Report Zelenskyy has often pushed back against lowering the age of conscription. Domestic backlash and potential harm to Ukraine's economy could be part of the reasons. There have often been reports of deserters and people going absent without leave. So far, Ukraine has maintained that there's just not enough equipment to match the mobilisation. The AP report cited a Ukrainian official who accused the West of trying to shift focus to draft age, away from their delays or late decisions in giving equipment. (With inputs from agencies)

US now wants Ukrainians as young as 18 to fight war with Russia because...

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the Ukrainian military and global defence companies have undergone extreme change when it comes to their workforce dynamics.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the Ukrainian military and global defence companies have undergone extreme change when it comes to their workforce dynamics. The Ukraine-Russia war was the first domino to fall, starting a cascade, such as escalating geopolitical tensions and bringing forth an economic crisis. The war has been ongoing for over two years and Ukraine saw a depletion of its military strength. To combat that, Ukraine has introduced a law that allows the recruitment of convicts into its military. Global defence organisations are also hiring at unprecedented rates to meet the ever-rising demand. Ukraine's Military Recruitment of Convicts As Ukraine continues to fight to defend itself against Russian attacks, the country faces a military personnel deficit. Last month, the Ukrainian government enacted a conscription law that allows physically fit and motivated prisoners convicted under certain charges to serve in the Armed Forces. This allows for the voluntary mobilisation of inmates. Convicts who enlist are promised integration into regular battalions rather than distinct penal units, however, this strategy is being debated by military leaders. According to the Ministry of Justice, Ukraine now has 26,000 prisoners in jail. The government reports that since the law went into force, 5,000 male convicts have applied to join the military. The courts have already freed roughly 2,000 individuals from prison and into the military after passing their medical exams. The first group of prisoner recruits is currently undergoing basic training. "Ukraine's decision to recruit convicts into their military amidst personnel shortages is a controversial approach. While it may provide short-term solutions, it raises concerns about military discipline and cohesion, training and integration challenges, potential human rights violations and long-term effectiveness and reliability," defence expert and war veteran, Col (Dr) Divakaran Padma Kumar Pillay told WION. Also read: At Ukraine peace summit, US Vice Prez Harris announces over $1.5 billion in aid for Kyiv "Globally, similar approaches have been attempted. For example, Russia recruited convicts and mercenaries, raising concerns about human rights and accountability, " said Pillay, who is a recipient of Shaurya Chakra, one of India's biggest military honours. "The US military has previously hired soldiers with criminal backgrounds, but only after thorough screening and rehabilitation programmes. India's Rehabilitation Policy allows former insurgents to be rehabilitated into paramilitary forces, with a focus on reintegration and repentance," added the PhD Research Fellow. "While recruiting convicts may address short-term personnel shortages, it is crucial to consider the long-term implications and potential consequences on military effectiveness, discipline, and human rights. A balanced approach, incorporating alternative solutions and rehabilitation programmes, may yield more sustainable results," Pillay continued. Global defence companies' hiring boom The hiring boom is not limited to Ukraine. In parallel, defence companies around the world are undergoing the most intense recruitment drive since the end of the Cold War in 1991, according to Financial Times. According to an FT survey of 20 major and medium-sized US and European defence and aerospace companies, they want to bring on tens of thousands of extra workers this year to handle the spike in orders brought on by the crisis in Ukraine and increased geopolitical instability across the world. Also read: Russia-Ukraine war: US announces over $1.5bn more US energy, humanitarian aid for Kyiv Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics, for example, have roughly 6,000 unfilled positions between them. In all, 10 surveyed organisations plan to increase their workforce by over 37,000 positions, representing a nearly 10% increase. This boom in hiring drive includes positions such as engineers, software developers, cyber-security analysts, welders, and mechanics. There's a demand for both freshers and seasoned experts in these positions. Companies like Rheinmetall and Nammo who are focusing on increasing their manufacture of ammunition are at the forefront of these hiring drives. Nammo has raised its personnel by 15% in the last two years and plans to double its workforce by 2030. Data at a glance Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics jointly have over 6,000 job openings. Ten businesses polled plan to add about 37,000 jobs, or nearly 10% of their entire workforce. Nammo's headcount rose by 15%, from 2,700 in 2021 to 3,100 in 2023. Over the last three years, Thales has hired 9,000 workers, accounting for 11% of its current 81,000-strong workforce. MBDA expects to add around 2,600 workers this year, accounting for 17% of its present workforce of 15,000. Leonardo plans to hire 6,000 additional people by 2024. (With inputs from agencies)

Data Lab | Ripple effects of Ukraine conflict: Ukrainian military & global defence sector's hiring surge

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US now wants Ukrainians as young as 18 to fight war with Russia because...

Data Lab | Ripple effects of Ukraine conflict: Ukrainian military & global defence sector's hiring surge