An increasing number of older recruits on Ukraine’s front lines is raising concerns among younger Russian soldiers.
Contracting Soldiers up to 70 Years Old
Reports from Moscow's administration indicate that the average age of new recruits has surged dramatically since August, jumping from about 40 years earlier this year to nearly 50.
Last year, Moscow raised the upper age limit for contracted soldiers from 65 to 70, leading to a noticeable influx of older men in the Russian army.
In Moscow, nearly half of the new recruits are over 45, with some even in their 60s, according to L'Independent, a Russian online news outlet. This wave of older soldiers is partly driven by enticing financial incentives and patriotic messaging from the Russian military.
However, the strategy is having negative consequences on the battlefield, where many of these older recruits struggle to meet the physical demands of combat.
'Grandpa Soldiers' is a Serious Issue
One soldier, speaking to Verstka, described the situation as dire:
“Half the reinforcements are over 50.”
Another, stationed near Donetsk, explained that since summer, his regiment has lost about half of its personnel near Chasiv Yar due to casualties.
“They keep sending us reinforcements, but half of them are over 50, and some can’t even make it to their positions.”
Younger soldiers are particularly frustrated by the physical limitations of their older comrades.
“They’re all sick. They have leg pain, headaches, and they’re slow,” said one soldier, highlighting the struggle of older recruits to keep up with the pace of battle. Many of them have difficulty carrying heavy packs or digging trenches, slowing down operations and adding strain to younger troops.
These “grandpa soldiers,” as they are often called by their comrades, have become a serious issue, according to a Russian lawmaker who visits the front regularly.
The effects of recruiting older men are reflected in rising mortality rates. According to the BBC, nearly half of the confirmed Russian contract soldiers killed in combat were over 45, and deaths among those over 55 have surged by 50% in 2024 compared to the previous year.
