Ukraine may lower military draft age - AFU serviceman Tymochko

He expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

‘If we find ourselves in a situation where we really have nowhere to draw additional resources for the defense of our country, then lowering the mobilization age is a very real scenario. We are talking about this if there are no loopholes in the country to avoid mobilization. Then, indeed, lowering the mobilization age will be an issue on the agenda. We will have to mobilize citizens who fall under the lowered mobilization age very sharply. I would like to remind you that in Ukraine, the mobilization age is 18 years and older. There can be no discussion here. That is, if the legislation does not provide loopholes to avoid mobilization, but concentrates and motivates citizens to defend their country, the issue of lowering the mobilization age may not be considered,’ explained Tymochko.

According to the serviceman, the issue of higher education for men over 25 should be regulated by law to deprive such citizens of legal grounds to avoid military service.

‘I understand when reservations are made for military facilities. However, there should be no reservations for football players, circus performers and people of other similar professions in times of war. We need to defend the country. I understand that young people need to study and get an education, but definitely not men over the age of 25. They had a chance to get a higher education, so maybe now it's important to take the chance to defend their country,’ he added.

• On October 15, advisor to the head of the Presidential Office Serhiy Leshchenko said that the United States was putting pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to lower the mobilization age.