Dmytro Prytula's Plans
Dmytro Prytula, the 17-year-old son of volunteer Serhiy Prytula, intends to enlist in the military upon reaching adulthood. He is currently a first-year student at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (KPI) and has gained practical experience working with drones. Specifically, Dmytro has assisted his father by configuring drones for military use, highlighting his engagement with modern battlefield technology.
Serhiy Prytula supports his son's desire to join the service. He stated:
“He is studying in his first year at KPI. Will he want to combine this further with a choice in the military direction? He has a similar desire. Don't try to extract specific things from me in advance before they happen. But, in short, in our family, I am the only one who supports his choice. Ultimately, it is his own decision.” - Serhiy Prytula
A Technological Focus
Serhiy Prytula also mentioned he frequently discusses military service with Dmytro. He emphasized the young man's interest in technology, noting that during holidays, Dmytro worked at his father's foundation, where he was involved in drone configuration. “It's interesting work for a young guy who already knows how to work with a soldering iron, knows what to solder where, how to configure the software, and so on,” Serhiy Prytula remarked.
Furthermore, he added that Dmytro is motivated by the understanding that his work can help save pilots' lives: “He was driven by the realization that thanks to his work, some pilot would be safer, since he, as a drone operator, would be anonymized—the enemy would not know from where he launches the drone.” Thus, Dmytro's future army service is supported not only by a desire to serve but also by practical skills acquired within his family.
Dmytro Prytula's choice to become a serviceman reflects a growing trend among Ukrainian youth who seek to actively participate in defending their country during wartime. His preparation and experience with drones could become valuable assets for the Armed Forces, as technological skills are increasingly in demand in modern military conflicts. This demonstrates that young people are not only aware of the threats but are also prepared to take active steps to overcome them. In Ukraine's defense against the ongoing invasion, such technical expertise is proving to be as critical as traditional combat training.