Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s repeated promises that 18-year-old conscripts would not be sent to fight in Ukraine, an investigation by BBC Russian has confirmed the deaths of at least 245 Russian soldiers aged just 18 on the frontlines in the last two years.

This new wave of teenage casualties stems from a change in policy that allows high school graduates to bypass mandatory conscription and sign up directly as contract soldiers. Although they make up a small proportion of total Russian losses, patriotic messaging and substantial financial incentives have driven many young men—often from underprivileged backgrounds—towards the military.

From the Classroom to the Battlefield

One such case is Alexander Petlinsky, who enlisted two weeks after turning 18. He died in Ukraine just 20 days later. Although he had been accepted into a medical college in Chelyabinsk, his family said he had long dreamed of joining the army since the start of the war, when he was just 15.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the military call-up age is set at 25, underscoring the youth of Russia’s newly deployed soldiers.

Initially, Russia required men to complete at least three months of conscript service before being eligible for military contracts. But that requirement was quietly eliminated in April 2023, opening the door for freshly graduated teens to join directly.

Militarisation of Education

The Russian education system has played a role in preparing these youth for combat. Schools now hold regular classes promoting the so-called “special military operation”, with returning soldiers visiting classrooms, and children making trench candles and camouflage nets. Even nursery school students are encouraged to send morale-boosting drawings to soldiers at the front.

As of September 2024, a new curriculum called “The Basics of Safety and Homeland Defence” includes training in using Kalashnikov rifles and grenades for older students—echoing Soviet-era military education.

Recruiters are also attending school career days, offering contract soldier roles as viable post-graduation careers.

The Tragic Story of Vitaly Ivanov

Another 18-year-old, Vitaly Ivanov, had dropped out of college in Siberia and run into legal trouble. Accused of robbery, he reportedly confessed under duress. Days later, he signed a military contract—possibly under pressure—and called his mother to say he was being deployed.

His final message home came on 5 February. He died in combat six days later.

The Growing Toll

The BBC’s ongoing investigation into Russia’s war dead, based on publicly available sources, has confirmed that 2,812 Russian men aged 18–20 have been killed in Ukraine since the war began in February 2022.

So far, they have identified 120,343 confirmed Russian military deaths, though experts estimate the real figure to be 185,000–267,000, as not all casualties are reported publicly.

Many of the 18-year-olds killed were likely motivated by patriotic fervor, financial need, or pressure from authorities and social surroundings.

Alexander Petlinsky’s mother summed up the painful contradiction faced by families:

“As a citizen of the Russian Federation, I am proud of my son. But as a mother – I can’t cope with this loss.”

His friend Anastasia reflected on the tragedy of the situation:

“They’re so young and naive. They don’t understand the weight of what they’re signing up for.”