Ukrainians condemn US call to lower conscription age amid Russia’s war

Washington suggested teenagers join the war as Ukraine demanded more aid, signalling a rift between allies.

Vladislav thinks lowering the conscription age in Ukraine from 25 to 18 is a “bad idea”.

His military service is a sad yet telling example.

The fair-haired, gaunt 20-year-old volunteered to join the Ukrainian army two years ago – and suffered a heavy contusion near the eastern city of Kupiansk.

“It was scary, scary, scary,” Vladislav told Al Jazeera in central Kyiv, as he dragged on a cigarette.

“I’ve seen a lot. I’ve got problems with my head,” he said as if apologising for his reluctance to talk about his combat experience.

Vladislav is awaiting a medical assessment that would either have him demobilised – or dispatched back to the frontline in the southeastern Donbas region, where the outmanned and outgunned Ukrainian forces slowly lose ground to Russian invaders.