- Delayed Family Plans: Many Ukrainians, including soldiers, are putting off having children due to the ongoing war with Russia.
- Freezing Sperm: New legislation allows Ukrainian soldiers to freeze their sperm for free, providing an “insurance policy” in case of injury or death.
- Combat Stress: Soldiers are concerned about the impact of combat stress on their fertility, leading them to consider sperm freezing [1].
- Emotional Toll: The war is taking an emotional toll on Ukrainians, making it difficult for them to imagine a future with children [1].
The ongoing war with Russia has led many Ukrainians to put their family plans on hold. Oleksandr, a 36-year-old Ukrainian soldier, is one of them. He dreams of having a girl and a boy, but the daily risks he faces on the frontline have made him reconsider his plans.
Instead of starting a family, Oleksandr has decided to freeze his sperm. This decision is not unique to him, as many of his fellow soldiers have also chosen to do so. New legislation has made it possible for Ukrainian soldiers to freeze their sperm for free, and many clinics are already offering the service.
Oleksandr’s decision is motivated by the uncertainty of the war. He is concerned about the impact of combat stress on his fertility and the risk of being killed in action. If he dies, Oleksandr wants his wife to use his sperm to become pregnant. This provides him with a sense of reassurance, even if it is difficult for him to imagine his wife having their child without him.
