Teenage Soldiers and the Hidden Costs of Putin's Conflict in Ukraine

A recent BBC investigation uncovers that at least 245 Russian youths, just 18 years old, have died in the war in Ukraine, as the government implements new rules allowing school-leavers to enlist as contract soldiers. Amidst propaganda and financial incentives, young men like Alexander Petlinsky sign up, often oblivious to the dire consequences.

A BBC Russian investigation has brought to light the grim reality faced by young Russian men, particularly those just out of school, who are being drawn into the conflict in Ukraine. In stark contradiction to Vladimir Putin's promises that no 18-year-olds would be sent to the frontlines, at least 245 soldiers of this age have lost their lives in the war over the past two years.

The Russian government has introduced new regulations that enable recently graduated teenagers to join the regular army as contract soldiers, thereby circumventing traditional military service protocols. While they comprise a small portion of overall casualties, the lure of financial bonuses and nationalistic fervor has made military enlistment appealing, particularly for those in economically disadvantaged regions.

Take the case of Alexander Petlinsky, who enlisted almost immediately after turning 18 and was killed in action just three weeks later. Initially aspiring to be a doctor, Alexander's aunt recounts how he had dreamed of joining the fight when the invasion began, having been just 15 years old at that time.

In Ukraine, the call-up age remains significantly higher, set at 25. This discrepancy has allowed Russia to avoid a general mobilization by incentivizing young men to volunteer. Initially, enlistees were required to have completed a minimum of three months of conscript service. However, the government relaxed these criteria in April 2023, allowing any high school graduate over 18 to sign up.

The education system in Russia has been complicit in preparing students for military life. New laws mandate that teachers conduct classes about the "special military operation." Military visits to schools to discuss their frontline experiences have become common, and even young children are encouraged to support troops actively.

Among the young recruits was Vitaly Ivanov, a college dropout from Siberia who felt pressured into enlisting after an encounter with the police. Vitaly had planned to work in construction but opted for military service instead. His last message to his mother indicated he was heading into combat, a fateful mission that ultimately led to his death just six days later.

Between April 2023 and July 2025, BBC Russian identified 245 occurrences of 18-year-old contract soldiers killed in Ukraine, all confirmed through public documentation. Nationwide, the data suggest that at least 2,812 Russian men aged 18-20 have succumbed in the war, with many deaths going unreported and actual figures likely higher.

An investigation led by the BBC has recorded the deaths of 120,343 Russian soldiers since the war's escalation, with experts estimating that this may represent only a fraction of the true casualty numbers, suggesting as many as 267,500 may have been lost.

Upon turning 18, Alexander Petlinsky was eager to join the military, postponing his medical studies to enlist. Month later, he was dead. His mother expressed deep pride as a citizen in her son’s choice, but heartbreak as a mother left her unable to cope.

The phenomenon of young men rushing to enlist has become a painful subject among friends and families, who lament the naivety of the youth unable to comprehend the full weight and consequences of their decisions.