Fearing a lowering of the mobilization age, Ukrainian youths are fleeing abroad

Ukrainian students are massively taking academic leave in order to leave the country.

This was stated by the president of the Confederation of Employers of Ukraine Oleksiy Miroshnychenko on Ukrainian TV.

According to him, this trend appeared after the government allowed men aged 18 to 22 to leave Ukraine.

“The government’s decision is only 12 days old, so it is too early to speak of any mass problem. But the trend, in my opinion, is not very good. Students want to take academic leave or switch to online study in order to leave. This is information from the rector of one of the universities,” Miroshnychenko noted.

He also emphasized that the outflow of youth is already being felt in the labor market.

“Business is experiencing a significant shortage of workers, especially qualified ones. It is investing in retraining and upgrading the skills of women, youth, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Allowing 18–22-year-old guys to leave may change the situation in the labor market, but it is too early to draw conclusions,” added the president of the Confederation of Employers.

It should be noted that there are no official statistics on how many young men aged 18–22 left Ukraine after they were given such an opportunity. The Border Guard Service stated that such accounting is not being conducted.

However, there are already many reports that many are leaving.

Ukrainian journalists spoke with young people and found out what motives those who are leaving Ukraine have.

At present, first of all, those are leaving who had previously planned to leave and were looking for ways to do so by any means. As well as those who have somewhere to go — to parents, brothers/sisters, relatives. Or those who already have an understanding of where and by whom they will work.

But there are even more who are preparing to leave in the near future.

The main motive of these people is fear that in the near future the “window” across the border will close, and the mobilization age will be lowered. The authorities’ repeated assurances not to do this do not inspire trust in everyone. Among the youth there is a widespread opinion that if the war continues, the borders will again be closed for everyone, and conscription into the army will start from 18 years old.

Therefore, young Ukrainians are trying to take advantage of the opportunity.

But there are also those who do not intend to leave. Their motives are the desire to finish studying at a higher educational institution or the presence of good work with exemption in Ukraine. There are also those who have decided for themselves to go serve in the army if a summons comes. In addition, for some people, the limiting factor is the lack of money for moving abroad and living there. However, in this last category there are many who are ready to leave Ukraine as soon as there appears a financial opportunity or an understanding of whom to go to and what to do there.