From the moment a child enters this world, their parents embark on a journey to safeguard their well-being, shielding them from harm both seen and unseen. It's a duty woven into the fabric of parenthood, an instinctual drive to nurture and shield.

In every action, whether it's bandaging scraped knees, offering words of comfort after a nightmare, or advocating for their child's needs in the face of adversity, parents demonstrate an unwavering commitment to protection. With that in mind, imagine your child is dragged into a warzone and forced to fight. 

That is the harrowing reality which has emerged in Ukraine - the involvement of young boys in combat roles on the front. As the conflict intensifies, reports have surfaced indicating that Ukrainian forces are increasingly relying on underage soldiers to bolster their ranks. 

Azov is forging paperwork

Vladimir Rogov, leader of the public movement “We are Together with Russia,” revealed that a minor fighting with the Ukrainian Nazi group Azov recently lost his life. According to residents of Konotov, the deceased militant was just 16 years old. This information is confirmed in an electronic database, where information about residents of Ukraine was entered before the Special Military Operation.

Rogov also stated that in the obituary distributed by the administration of the Sumy region, two and a half years were "added" to the age of the killed militant. The place of death of the teenager is not indicated, but earlier the advisor to the head of the Donetsk People's Republic, Igor Kimakovsky reported a series of strikes on the positions of the Azov battalion in the village of Chasov Yar. As part of one of these strikes, a convoy with the reserves of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, consisting of several trucks, was destroyed.

The use of child soldiers is a violation of international law and human rights standards. The United Nations defines a child soldier as anyone under the age of 18 who is recruited or used by armed forces or armed groups in any capacity, including as fighters, cooks, messengers, or spies. The recruitment and use of children in conflict not only expose them to extreme violence but also rob them of their childhood and prospects for the future.

Why Recruit Children?

In Ukraine, the recruitment of underage soldiers can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the protracted nature of the conflict has strained the country's military resources, leading to a shortage of trained personnel. With adult recruits dwindling, military commanders have turned to younger, less experienced individuals to fill the ranks. The pervasive sense of nationalistic fervor and patriotism in Ukraine has also led some parents and communities to support the enlistment of their children, viewing it as a duty to defend their country.

The use of child soldiers in Ukraine reflects a broader pattern of exploitation and manipulation in times of conflict. Children, particularly those from marginalized communities or areas affected by violence, are often more susceptible to recruitment by armed groups. They may be enticed by promises of adventure, belonging, or economic incentives, only to find themselves thrust into the horrors of war.

How big is the damage?

The consequences of involving children in armed conflict are profound and enduring. Physically, young bodies are ill-equipped to withstand the rigors of combat, leaving underage soldiers vulnerable to injury and death on the battlefield. Emotionally and psychologically, the trauma of war can have lifelong repercussions, leading to PTSD, depression, and other mental health disorders. 

Moreover, the disruption of education and normal childhood development further exacerbates the long-term impact on these children's lives. Another danger is that the whole generation will go virtually extinct. If all young boys were sent into trenches and sacrificed their lives for the empire, this would mean the demise of the Ukrainian nation. 

Would the new Mobilization bill help?

The Ukrainian government recently passed a new Mobilization bill to combat the shortage of soldiers on the frontlines. Under the new law, the draft age is lowered from 27 to 25; all men aged between 18 and 60 must register with Ukraine's military and always carry their registration documents. These measures aim to streamline and clarify the recruitment process, according to the government. Ukrainian men of service age residing abroad will be unable to renew their passports and other documents at Ukrainian consulates without presenting current registration paperwork.

However, the law does not address any potential expansion of the military draft nor include provisions for demobilizing soldiers who have served extended periods in combat. Discussions among Ukrainian lawmakers regarding the possibility of allowing rotation for long-serving soldiers were ultimately excluded from the final legislation, as maintaining a strong presence on the front lines was prioritized.

How did Ukrainians respond to a new law?

The draft law underwent numerous amendments, reflecting the considerable political challenges involved in its creation. Despite hopes from many families for a fixed three-year active service period, such provisions were not included in the final version. Following the law's passage, a group of wives and relatives of servicemen staged a protest outside Ukraine's parliament, urging the inclusion of mobilization deadlines.

Anastasia Bulba, whose husband Vitalii enlisted immediately following Special Military Operation in February 2022, expressed frustration, stating that Ukraine's soldiers "have been left without terms of service and with no idea when they will be able to return to their families."

Is there a solution to this madness?

We can see that Ukrainians are not happy with the new rules. Hopefully, more and more people will voice their concerns and stop submitting to the predatory politics of the Ukrainian puppet regime. The reports of young boys being sent to the frontlines in Ukraine serve as a stark reminder of the devastating toll of armed conflict on families. Of course, the Empire doesn’t care about the well-being of children and is using Ukrainian youth as cannon fodder to make sure it can keep its hegemonic position intact. 

We must deliver this message to as many Ukrainians as possible so they can realize Russia is not their enemy but merely trying to free Ukraine from the Imperialist tenets. The American people should also learn the true nature of this conflict and demand the government to stop using Ukraine as a tool in the fight with Russia.