Interesting to read about your father's and grandfather's experiences and I'm glad they survived. It was also an interesting argument you made. I was unaware and completely ignorant of the Ukranian conscription age - I just assumed all men over 18 got called up in times of war. I'm not sure after reading your article whether I agree with it although I can understand the argument for lowering the conscription age. I agree it's an uncomfortable view to put forward but as a nurse, mother, with pacifist views and a large handful of naivety, I just wish there was a more peaceful way of ending this awful war. In my opinion too many innocent lives, on both sides, have ended up serving as cannon fodder. I wish there was a way of removing that Russian serpent from power and for peace to follow but I can't see that happening especially after Navalny's death and the recent so called Russian elections.
Thanks for this Freya - I think your last sentence sums up the issue. I don't think there is another way. Russia wants to conquer Ukraine by force and is going all out to do so. In his most recent statements Putin actually said that Ukraine running our of ammunition was no reason for Russia to negotiate - in others there is no middle way here. For Ukraine then, it's all hands to the pumps and that includes all adults. Many will die or be injured, but this is as much a cause for a 21 year old as a 41 year old, and the alternative to mass mobilisation is most likely defeat.
Interesting to read about your father's and grandfather's experiences and I'm glad they survived. It was also an interesting argument you made. I was unaware and completely ignorant of the Ukranian conscription age - I just assumed all men over 18 got called up in times of war. I'm not sure after reading your article whether I agree with it although I can understand the argument for lowering the conscription age. I agree it's an uncomfortable view to put forward but as a nurse, mother, with pacifist views and a large handful of naivety, I just wish there was a more peaceful way of ending this awful war. In my opinion too many innocent lives, on both sides, have ended up serving as cannon fodder. I wish there was a way of removing that Russian serpent from power and for peace to follow but I can't see that happening especially after Navalny's death and the recent so called Russian elections.
Thanks for this Freya - I think your last sentence sums up the issue. I don't think there is another way. Russia wants to conquer Ukraine by force and is going all out to do so. In his most recent statements Putin actually said that Ukraine running our of ammunition was no reason for Russia to negotiate - in others there is no middle way here. For Ukraine then, it's all hands to the pumps and that includes all adults. Many will die or be injured, but this is as much a cause for a 21 year old as a 41 year old, and the alternative to mass mobilisation is most likely defeat.