"Younger generation should be mobilized": Ukrainian military commander on drafting 160,000 more troops

Otchenash shared his views on Espreso TV.

"There’s a need not just for infantry; every unit has a personnel gap — a big one. We’re short on skilled people. We need to mobilize these numbers now so they can be properly trained and ready to take their positions for battle. And as a representative of the younger generation in the military, I firmly believe it should be the younger generation who steps up. A 20-25-year-old soldier is always going to be in better physical shape than a 55-year-old," he stated.

For Otchenash, the main priority is the survival of the nation.

"This is basic physiology. We need young, passionate fighters — people with fire in their hearts who will defend the land with everything they’ve got. If we become Russian territory, who will we be leaving behind for the next generation? Our survival as a nation is what matters most now, and unfortunately, there aren’t many other options," he added.

• On October 29, Secretary of Ukraine's National Security Council, Oleksandr Lytvynenko, confirmed the need to draft 160,000 more troops to bring military units to 85% capacity.