Ukraine’s Elderly Veterans Join War as Young Men Rebuild the Nation

On a quiet Tuesday morning in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village, 68-year-old Mykola Petrenko adjusts the straps of his grandson’s old backpack before stepping onto the #66 bus headed downtown. The weight inside isn’t schoolbooks—it’s a medical kit, a Russian phrasebook, and a dog-eared copy of the mobilization orders he received last week. Petrenko, a retired machinist who spent his career at the now-shuttered Brach’s candy factory on the West Side, is one of thousands of Ukrainian men over 60 being called up as Kyiv’s novel mobilization law reshapes who fights—and who rebuilds—the war-torn nation. For communities like Chicago’s, where nearly 50,000 Ukrainian-Americans call the city home, the ripple effects are already being felt in church basements, union halls, and the quiet conversations over pierogi at local diners like Ann’s Bakery on Chicago Avenue.

The law, which took effect in early 2026 after months of heated debate in the Verkhovna Rada, marks a dramatic shift in Ukraine’s wartime strategy. Where previous mobilization efforts focused on men aged 27–60, the new legislation lowers the conscription age to 25 while simultaneously raising the upper limit to 70 for those with critical skills—medics, engineers, and logistics experts. The rationale, as outlined in the draft bills signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, is twofold: spare younger Ukrainians to rebuild the country’s shattered infrastructure, and tap into the institutional knowledge of older generations who came of age during the Soviet era and understand Russia’s military playbook.

“This isn’t just about filling trenches,” says Dr. Oksana Shevchenko, a historian at the University of Illinois at Chicago who studies post-Soviet militaries. “It’s a recognition that Ukraine’s war effort now requires a different kind of soldier—one who can mentor younger recruits, operate legacy Soviet-era equipment, and, frankly, withstand the psychological toll of a war that’s entering its fifth year with no end in sight.” The numbers tell a stark story: according to data from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense cited in the Irish Times report, nearly 40% of frontline units are now composed of soldiers over 50, up from just 12% in 2022. In some specialized units, like the 47th Mechanized Brigade, the average age hovers around 55.

The policy has sparked fierce debate within Chicago’s Ukrainian community, where generations often live under the same roof. At St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral on Oakley Boulevard, Father Bohdan Danylo has seen attendance at his weekly “War and Faith” support groups double since the law’s passage. “We have grandfathers coming in who haven’t held a rifle since their mandatory Soviet service in the 1970s, sitting next to their grandsons who are being told they’re too young to fight,” Danylo says. The tension is palpable at local cultural centers like the Ukrainian National Museum on Superior Street, where veterans of Ukraine’s 2014 war in Donbas—many now in their 50s—lead training sessions for older recruits on everything from drone operation to battlefield first aid.

Why Chicago Feels the Impact More Than Most

Chicago’s status as the second-largest hub of Ukrainian diaspora in the U.S. (after New York) means the mobilization law’s effects are amplified here. The city’s Ukrainian-American community, concentrated in the West Town and Ukrainian Village neighborhoods, has long served as a financial and logistical lifeline for relatives back home. Now, that role is evolving. Local organizations like Selfreliance Federal Credit Union, which has branches on Chicago Avenue and in suburban Palatine, report a 30% uptick in wire transfers to Ukraine since the law’s implementation—many earmarked for medical supplies or body armor for newly mobilized family members. “We used to see a lot of remittances for rent or groceries,” says credit union manager Iryna Kovalchuk. “Now, it’s tactical gear and satellite phones.”

The economic ripple effects extend beyond remittances. Chicago’s once-thriving diaspora business sector—restaurants, import shops, and travel agencies catering to Ukrainian tourists—is facing labor shortages as middle-aged owners and employees receive mobilization notices. At Shokolad, a popular café on Division Street, owner Volodymyr Melnyk recently put his business up for sale after receiving his draft notice. “I can’t run a café from a trench in Kharkiv,” he told the Chicago Tribune last month. Similar stories are playing out across the city, from the Ukrainian-owned auto repair shops along Milwaukee Avenue to the language schools on Damen that have seen enrollment plummet as teachers are called up.

Perhaps most striking is the shift in how Chicago’s Ukrainian community views its role in the war. For years, local efforts focused on humanitarian aid—collecting medical supplies, organizing fundraisers, and lobbying Congress for military support. Now, the conversation has turned inward. At the Ukrainian Cultural Center on Haddon Avenue, weekly “pre-deployment” workshops draw standing-room-only crowds. Topics range from the practical (how to update a will, where to store important documents) to the psychological (preparing families for the possibility of injury or death). “We’re seeing a lot of men in their 60s who thought their war service was behind them,” says workshop organizer Maria Savchuk, a former Red Cross volunteer. “Now, they’re being asked to step up again—and their families are struggling with that reality.”

The Legal Gray Zone: When “Voluntary” Isn’t Really Voluntary

For Chicago’s Ukrainian men with dual citizenship, the new mobilization law presents a legal minefield. While Ukraine does not recognize dual citizenship, the reality is more complicated. Men who left Ukraine after 2014—many of whom hold U.S. Passports—are technically subject to mobilization if they return, even for short visits. The Ukrainian consulate in Chicago, located in the Loop’s iconic Chicago Temple Building, has seen a surge in inquiries from men seeking to clarify their status. “We’re advising all Ukrainian men of conscription age to consult with an immigration attorney before traveling,” says consular official Andriy Shevchuk. “The risks are real.”

The issue has caught the attention of Chicago’s legal community. At the Ukrainian American Bar Association of Illinois, pro bono clinics are overwhelmed with requests for assist navigating the law’s complexities. “We’re seeing cases where men are being stopped at Boryspil Airport and handed draft notices on the spot,” says attorney Larysa Tsybulska. “Others are being pressured to ‘volunteer’ for service when they try to renew their Ukrainian passports.” The law’s language is deliberately vague on what constitutes “voluntary” service, leading to widespread reports of coercion. In one high-profile case reported by the Irish Times, a 67-year-old Chicago resident was detained for three days in Kyiv after attempting to visit his ailing mother. He was only released after his family paid a $5,000 “fine” and he agreed to report for military training.

Local lawmakers are taking notice. Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley, whose district includes Ukrainian Village, recently introduced a resolution in the House calling on the State Department to provide clearer guidance for dual citizens. “This is a human rights issue,” Quigley said in a statement. “Men who left Ukraine to build new lives in the U.S. Should not be forced to choose between visiting their families and risking conscription.” The resolution has gained traction among Chicago’s congressional delegation, with Senator Dick Durbin co-sponsoring the measure. Meanwhile, at the state level, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has issued a consumer alert warning Ukrainian-Americans about the risks of traveling to Ukraine under the current law.

The Rebuilders: How Chicago’s Young Ukrainians Are Stepping Up

While older men are being called to the front, a parallel effort is underway to prepare younger Ukrainians—many of them born or raised in Chicago—for roles in rebuilding their homeland. At the Ukrainian Engineering Society of Chicago, a nonprofit based in the Loop, a new program called “Rebuild Ukraine” is training young professionals in everything from post-war urban planning to demining techniques. “We’re not just talking about bricks and mortar,” says program director Yuriy Fedorenko. “We’re talking about rebuilding institutions, rebuilding trust, and rebuilding a country that’s been at war for a decade.”

The program has attracted a diverse cohort, from architecture students at the Illinois Institute of Technology to IT professionals at Chicago’s tech startups. Many are the children of Ukrainian immigrants who grew up hearing stories of the homeland but never expected to play a role in its future. “I used to think my connection to Ukraine was just cultural—language, food, holidays,” says 24-year-old Sofia Kovalenko, a recent graduate of the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy. “Now, I’m learning how to design refugee housing that can withstand artillery fire. It’s a lot to process.”

The effort extends beyond technical training. At the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in West Town, a series of workshops called “Art as Resistance” teaches young Ukrainians how to document war crimes through photography and oral history. The program, led by Chicago-based artist Vlodko Kaufman, has already produced a traveling exhibition that’s been displayed in cities from Lviv to Los Angeles. “Art isn’t just about beauty,” Kaufman says. “It’s about bearing witness. And right now, Ukraine needs witnesses.”

For many young Ukrainian-Americans in Chicago, the mobilization law has forced a reckoning with their identity. At Razom for Ukraine, a local nonprofit that organizes aid shipments to the front, volunteer coordinator Iryna Mazur has seen a surge in interest from young people who aim for to contribute but don’t know how. “We’re getting calls from 18-year-olds who say, ‘I can’t fight, but I want to help,’” Mazur says. “So we’re channeling that energy into concrete projects—fundraising, advocacy, and yes, preparing for the day when Ukraine will need to rebuild.”

What This Means for Chicago: A Community in Transition

The mobilization law’s impact on Chicago’s Ukrainian community is multifaceted, touching everything from local businesses to family dynamics. Here’s what residents should watch for in the coming months:

• Labor shortages in diaspora businesses: As middle-aged owners and employees are called up, restaurants, import shops, and service businesses may face closures or reduced hours. The Ukrainian Village Chamber of Commerce is already compiling a list of businesses in need of temporary managers or buyers.
• Increased demand for mental health services: Local organizations like the Ukrainian American Veterans Post 32 in Lincoln Square are reporting a rise in PTSD cases among older veterans who thought their service was behind them. The Illinois Department of Human Services has partnered with local clinics to offer free counseling for affected families.
• Shifts in remittance patterns: With more money being sent for military gear and less for basic needs, local aid organizations are bracing for increased demand for food assistance and housing support among families of mobilized soldiers.
• Legal and immigration challenges: The Ukrainian consulate in Chicago is expected to see a surge in passport renewal requests as men seek to clarify their status. Immigration attorneys are advising clients to avoid travel to Ukraine until the legal landscape becomes clearer.

How Chicagoans Can Help: A Guide to Local Resources

Given my background covering policy shifts and their local impacts, I’ve seen how communities rally in moments of crisis. If you’re in Chicago and want to support the Ukrainian community—or if you’re a Ukrainian-American navigating the mobilization law’s complexities—here are the types of local professionals and resources you should know about:

Immigration and Consular Law Specialists

With the legal gray zone around dual citizenship and mobilization, having an attorney who understands both U.S. And Ukrainian law is critical. Appear for:

• Attorneys with experience in dual citizenship cases and consular processing. The Ukrainian American Bar Association of Illinois maintains a referral list of vetted lawyers.
• Firms that offer pro bono clinics for low-income clients. The National Immigrant Justice Center, based in Chicago, has expanded its services to include Ukrainian-specific legal aid.
• Lawyers who can help with power of attorney documents and estate planning for families with mobilized relatives. Many Ukrainian-American attorneys are offering discounted rates for these services.

Veterans’ Support and Mental Health Providers

The psychological toll of mobilization—especially for older men who thought their service was behind them—cannot be overstated. Local resources include:

• Culturally competent therapists who understand the unique challenges faced by Ukrainian veterans. The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs has a directory of providers with experience in PTSD, and trauma.
• Support groups specifically for families of mobilized soldiers. St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral and the Ukrainian Cultural Center both host weekly meetings.
• Financial assistance programs for veterans and their families. Organizations like Razom for Ukraine and the Ukrainian American Veterans Post 32 offer grants for medical expenses, legal fees, and emergency travel.

Business Transition and Succession Planners

With many Ukrainian-owned businesses facing closures or sales due to mobilization, professional help is essential. Seek out:

• Minor business consultants with experience in emergency succession planning. The Chicago Small Business Development Center offers free consultations for affected businesses.
• Commercial real estate brokers who specialize in quick sales of restaurants, retail spaces, and service businesses. Look for brokers with experience in the Ukrainian Village and West Town markets.
• Accountants and tax professionals who can help navigate the financial implications of mobilization, including remittance taxes and business valuation. The Ukrainian American Chamber of Commerce has a list of recommended professionals.

For those looking to get involved beyond legal and financial support, Chicago offers numerous volunteer opportunities:

• Humanitarian aid organizations: Groups like Razom for Ukraine and Revived Soldiers Ukraine are always in need of volunteers to pack medical supplies, organize fundraisers, and advocate for policy changes.
• Cultural preservation efforts: The Ukrainian National Museum and Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art rely on volunteers to maintain their collections and organize educational programs.
• Youth mentorship programs: Organizations like the Ukrainian American Youth Association are seeking mentors to guide young Ukrainian-Americans as they navigate their dual identities and potential roles in rebuilding Ukraine.

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