After the Cabinet of Ministers' decision to open borders for men under 22, calls have intensified in society to lower the age of mobilization to 18, as well as to introduce conscription for girls.
The commander of the Dnipro 1 battalion, Yuriy Bereza, emphasized that the issue of conscription of young people is critically important for the survival of the state. "Look at Israel, no one there discusses the issue of compulsory military service for young people. Those who have gone abroad do not have the right to hold public office, engage in business and enjoy full rights of a citizen. In order to win this war and save our country, we must unite all internal forces," he noted.
Bereza emphasized that mobilized 18-year-olds will not necessarily be deployed at the front. Their participation can be organized in auxiliary units, in logistics, in the protection of important facilities, and in the field of army support, which will allow more experienced servicemen to focus on direct combat missions.
Discussion of lowering the draft age has sparked a heated response in society and among experts. Some see it as a necessary step to strengthen the country's defense capabilities, while others emphasize the risks of psychological and physical strain on young people.
In any case, the issue of conscription of 18-year-old Ukrainians is currently at the stage of public discussion and analysis of possible consequences for the state and society.
