Freshly married to a policeman, Angelina Alexeyeva feels inspired by President Vladimir Putin’s call for Russians to have more children—a key part of the Kremlin’s ultra-patriotic push amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Russia’s birth rate, already in decline, has worsened significantly during Putin’s 25 years in power, especially after Moscow sent hundreds of thousands of young men to fight in Ukraine over the past three years. The Kremlin views the shrinking population as a national survival issue and has introduced numerous pro-family policies to address the crisis.

“It's extinction,” Putin warned in a government meeting last December, urging Russians to do their patriotic duty by expanding their families.

Alexeyeva, 34, said the message struck a chord: “We now value our country more, our nation, we are more patriotic than before. I want at least three children.”

Despite such calls, Russia’s birth rate stood at just 1.41 children per woman in 2023, far below the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population. Demographer Alexei Raksha—labeled a “foreign agent” by Russian authorities—warns that the situation is set to deteriorate further. He predicts a 40% drop in Russians of reproductive age between 2010 and 2030, with 2025 expected to record the lowest number of births in at least 225 years.

Official statistics put Russia’s population at 145.6 million, including Crimea, annexed in 2014. Projections indicate this number could fall by 15 million over the next two decades.

The demographic decline is especially stark in Russia, where male life expectancy, already low at just over 68 years in 2023 due to factors such as alcoholism, has been further reduced by the war. Raksha estimates male life expectancy now hovers just above 66 years.

Though Russia keeps official casualties secret, estimates suggest tens of thousands of men have died fighting in Ukraine. The BBC and independent outlets have identified over 111,000 military fatalities since the invasion began in February 2022.

Alcoholism remains a chronic issue far from the front lines. Yelena Matveyeva, 58, lost her husband Yuri—who struggled with alcoholism—six months ago. “I now realize I was living somebody else’s life,” she said, calling alcoholism “Russia’s historic national curse.”

Others like retired dressmaker Galina, 66, back Putin’s efforts to boost the birth rate. “We need more babies so we don’t die out,” she said. “My youngest daughter has already had seven children.”

To encourage larger families, Russia offers financial incentives such as maternity allowances and housing subsidies. One controversial program recently offered schoolgirls about US$1,200 for giving birth, sparking feminist protests.

Since 2007, these benefits have contributed to an estimated 2.5 million additional births, according to Raksha. However, the fundamental demographic challenge remains.

The government has also proposed stricter abortion laws, despite experts arguing they do not raise birth rates. In 2024, Putin signed legislation banning “child-free propaganda” to promote traditional family values, emphasizing the ideal household as a mother, father, and multiple children.

This campaign has intensified alongside Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. While it resonates with some citizens like Alexeyeva, it remains to be seen whether these efforts can reverse decades of population decline.