Ukraine’s justice minister reacts to claims country must conscript 18-year-olds
Source: Radio Svoboda
Ukraine’s justice minister Olha Stefanyshyna revealed that EU officials tried to feel out if Ukraine is ready to lower the conscription age to 18 during their recent meetings as Brussels wants more clarity on the controversial issue.
Stefanishyna said, “We can’t accept this criticism because it ignores the fact that there is no system in place for planning, training, and equipping our brigades.’
Stefanishyna strongly rejected calls to lower the mobilization age, calling such demands an “unacceptable stance.”
The minister stressed that Kyiv that having troops equipped is far more pressing issue.
“The EU has a major role to play in the training of Ukrainian forces… The potential here is significant; the real issue is planning. With proper planning and equipping, there will be no reason for such discussions about mobilization,” she explained.
On October 6, the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court of Ukraine continued hearing case No. 990/80/25, in which the fifth President and leader of the party “European Solidarity”, Petro Poroshenko, seeks to have Presidential Decree No. 81/2025 from February 12, 2025 — enacting sanctions by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) — declared illegal and annulled. The plaintiff claims the document was falsified and that the sanctions are a tool of political persecution of the opposition, contrary to international norms. Government representatives deny the allegations and insist their actions were lawful. Journalists of Bukvy were present at the hearing.
Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.
Five armored vehicles “Kozak” have received a new mission – thanks to the support of Metinvest, they have been upgraded to full-fledged command and staff vehicles. These upgraded vehicles are now operating on the front line.
A kamikaze drone flies directly toward an armored personnel carrier. But instead of penetrating the hull, it explodes on a steel screen. The crew survives. This is the new reality for Ukrainian forces, who have received enhanced protection thanks to the Metinvest project within “Steel Front of Rinat Akhmetov”.
To commemorate the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, “Bukvy” has compiled data on the largest donors supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Among them there are charitable foundations and businesses. The list includes, in particular, foundations that provide assistance exclusively from their own resources, without fundraising (such as SCM by Rinat Akhmetov, Epicenter, etc.).