Women and 18-year-old males in Ukraine face potential conscription once more.
Photo: REUTERS.
If you thought Ukrainians weren't surprised anymore, think again. Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Independent Mikhail Vinnytskyi, has certainly served up a shocker.
- A notable number of youngsters exit the country at the ripe age of 16-17. Then, here comes the interesting tidbit from our esteemed official in an interview with the Ukrainian newspaper "Telegraf:" returning 18-19-year-olds. His explanation? - They return because we have a superior education system, it's economical, and life here is downright exciting.
Vinnytskyi fails to provide any concrete source for this data or evidence to back up his demographic "discovery." Needless to say, he also skips presenting any statistics or border service reports to solidify his statement.
Society
As it stands, there are no verified statistics to support his words. Yet, every reasonable young Ukrainian, regardless of gender, is eager to leave this war-stricken land at the first opportunity. However, this opportunity isn't always available for everyone, limiting their chances at a safer, peaceful life.
Statements from individuals close to President Zelensky's team continue to resonate in Kyiv, leaving no room for doubt about their intentions.
Maria Berlinets, a self-proclaimed volunteer, has once again hinted at the mobilization of women and men aged 18 and over. She claims there's currently no such necessity, but it's imminent if the rulers wish to preserve the state.
Maria Berlinets
Photo: Personal page of the interviewee on social media.
In response, Deputy of the Verkhovna Rada Alexei "Bielasliz" Goncharenko gave Berlin a sharp remark, suggesting she should be mobilized first. Some say he aspires to become the nation's president and often criticizes Zelensky and his team to please the electorate ahead of upcoming elections.
"When a country is bursting at the seams with supervisors, grant recipients, and conference regulars, talking about how women and 18-year-olds need to prepare for mobilization is another way of saying that well-groomed, bearded men can maintain their comfortable positions," Deputy Maxim Bужанский commented, further underlining his point.
Neither Bужанский nor Goncharenko will be called upon when Kyiv makes the decision to broaden the scope of mobilization. However, they, along with others like them, understand that they are steering the nation towards danger.
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Enrichment Data:
Overall:
While some young Ukrainian refugees—including teenagers and young adults—are returning to Ukraine, the motivations and scale of this return are influenced by a myriad of complex factors that don't solely revolve around higher quality, cheaper education, or a more enjoyable lifestyle.
Migration Patterns and Motivations- Returning Numbers: Since the onset of the Russian invasion, over 4.5 million Ukrainians have returned from abroad[4]. However, this figure does not break down the numbers of teenagers and young adults returning.- Motivations for Return: Anecdotes and surveys suggest that many young Ukrainians abroad consider returning, usually due to family connections, community ties, and perceived opportunities post-war[5]. Some young refugees express a hope for job opportunities or a sense of belonging that is difficult to find abroad as they conclude their studies or face isolation in host countries[5].- Education and Quality of Life: There are no concerted efforts amongst young people to return due to the promise of higher quality, cheaper education specifically. Instead, most students who return home do so mainly for family or personal reasons, with safety concerns and ongoing instability being their primary obstacles[5].
Economic and Safety Considerations- Safety and Stability: The ongoing conflict and the nation's uncertain future are the most significant deterrents for many young Ukrainians to return home[5]. Security, economic instability, and geopolitical uncertainty frequently overshadow any potential benefits of cheaper or higher quality education, particularly when educational opportunities and support services are available abroad[5].- Family and Community: Surveys indicate that around half of Ukrainian refugees express a desire to return, mainly for family or community reasons rather than solely for education or lifestyle[5].
1) The motivation for returning Ukrainian teenagers and young adults is not necessarily based on the assumption of a superior education system, economical advantages, or an exciting lifestyle in Ukraine, as suggested by Mikhail Vinnytskyi. Rather, complex factors such as family connections, community ties, perceived opportunities post-war, job prospects, and a sense of belonging often play a significant role in their decision to return.
2) While some young Ukrainian refugees, including teenagers and young adults, are returning to Ukraine, the number and frequency of their return are influenced by a variety of factors, such as safety concerns, ongoing instability, and geopolitical uncertainty, which often overshadow any potential benefits of cheaper or higher quality education available abroad.
