“The mobilization age needs to be lowered to 21 years old”, – National Guard brigade commander says

In Ukraine, there are renewed calls to lower the mobilization age to 21.

This suggestion was made by Ihor Obolensky, commander of the 13th National Guard Brigade “Khartia.”

“The more of our youth experience what war is like now, the easier it will be for us in the future. Hard times create strong people. The more people feel the current hardships, the more effective we will be in the future,” Obolensky stated.

In his view, this would not pose a demographic threat because there is “no total death” — while many are wounded, they survive and continue fighting.

“I have soldiers and sergeants who have been wounded three or four times, yet they keep returning to duty. This shows the level of patriotism among our people, who want to continue fighting for the state because they trust their command, the government, and each other,” Obolensky explained.

Earlier, journalist Vitaliy Portnikov suggested that if the war lasts another two years, the mobilization age will be lowered, and if it continues for five years, women may be mobilized.

It’s also worth noting that 300,000 schoolchildren left Ukraine before the beginning of the new school year.