Ukraine: The Latest Calls for conscription age to be lowered as manpower shortage leaves Ukrainian city ‘on the brink’ & special forces launch 'fire attack' on major Russian petrochemical plant
10 snips
Nov 12, 2025 In this discussion, James Kilner, a former Telegraph correspondent with expertise in Russia and the Caucasus, delves into pressing military and geopolitical issues. He highlights Kyiv Mayor Klitschko's call to lower the conscription age amid a manpower crisis. Kilner also explores Kazakhstan's recent alignment with the US through the Abraham Accords, signaling possible shifts in regional dynamics. Additionally, he assesses the potential fallout of Sergei Lavrov's declining influence within the Kremlin and Russia's response to labor shortages.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Weather Changes The Balance Of Power
- Fog acts as an equaliser, hindering drone surveillance for both sides and changing battlefield dynamics.
- Dom Nicholls suggests Russia's willingness to accept higher casualties and greater manpower gives it advantage in foggy infiltration attacks.
Ukraine's Manpower Shortage Problem
- Kyiv faces a growing manpower crisis as many men flee abroad, worsening frontline shortages.
- Vitali Klitschko proposed lowering mobilisation age from 25 to 22–23 to widen the pool of eligible soldiers.
Lower The Mobilisation Age Now
- Consider lowering the mobilisation age by one or two years to expand available recruits quickly.
- Klitschko argued moving conscription down to 22–23 would help address acute personnel shortages.