Col. Bereza urges draft be reinstated at 18
Ukrainian Ground Forces / Facebook
Given that Ukraine is locked in a protracted existential war
with Russia, the government should reintroduce conscription
beginning at age 18, Col. Yurii Bereza, commander of the Dnipro-1 battalion,
told NV Radio on May 11.
“We must clearly explain to society that we need to restore the draft at 18,” Bereza said.
“But I emphasize: at 18 we should assign those boys and girls who are drafted to units on the western borders and to training centers so they can acquire skills during a year and then be released from service after one year. That would be a comprehensive [mobilization] reform.”
Bereza said Ukrainians up to age 25 should be called into the Armed Forces “two or three times” so they can learn to handle weapons and refresh those skills. He added that someone who serves for a year “must clearly understand that they have finished their service and have the right to live as a Ukrainian citizen.” He said signing a contract to remain in the military would be a separate choice with its own safeguards.
Bereza suggested this is the only affective way to ensure Ukraine
has adequate manpower reserves to draw upon as the Russo–Ukrainian war drags on.
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