The Russian dictator is battling a demographic crisis in the country.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is worried about a demographic crisis exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. In particular, one of the ways to solve this problem is the abduction and indoctrination of thousands of Ukrainian children.
The Financial Times writes about this.
Demographic crisis in the Russian Federation
According to the UN, Russia's population as of 2021 was 145 million, up from 149 million at the end of the 20th century. Even despite the arrival of millions of migrants from Central Asian countries in Russia, the problem is not getting smaller.
In addition, at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, excess mortality in the Russian Federation amounted to about 1.1 million.
The Pentagon estimates that 2022 alone has cost Russia 120,000 soldiers' lives. Hundreds of thousands more Russians fled the country because of the war.
“Six months after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Putin signed a decree restoring the Soviet “Heroine Mother” award, which was awarded to women who gave birth and raised 10 or more children. One of the first recipients of this award was Medni Kadyrova, the wife of Chechen “President Kadyrov,” – the message says.
Last month, Putin signed a new order declaring 2024 the “year of the family” in Russia. In his speeches, he increasingly appeals to the topic of family, saying how great it was once when women gave birth to 10 children in their lives.
“Putin is obsessed with this demographic problem. In his opinion, the power of a country is related to the size of its population. The larger the population, the more powerful the state,” explains French demographer Laurent Chalard.
Putin resolves crisis by attacking Ukraine
According to the Financial Times, Putin's announced annexation of Ukrainian territories, where about 8.6 million people lived before the war, may be an attempt to increase Russia's demographic potential. In particular, part of this strategy is the abduction and indoctrination of thousands of Ukrainian children.
In addition, a semi-religious campaign to restrict abortion is now gaining momentum in the Russian Federation.
Let us add that today it is officially known about approximately 20 thousand Ukrainian children whom Russia illegally deported from the territory of Ukraine.
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