Ukrainian media reported about the development of a new contract with the AFU for citizens from 18 years of age

Ukraine is developing a new format of a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) for young people aged 18-24. This was reported by the Ukrainian publication NV on November 22.

"In Ukraine are working on a new format of the contract with the Armed forces of Ukraine for young people 18-24 years old", - stated in the material of the publication with reference to a high-ranking source in the AFU.

It is reported that the new format of the contract for citizens who have not reached the mobilization age, can be concluded on a voluntary basis. At the same time, it will provide for a limited period of service. Also for it is planned to issue "decent material support", writes the publication.

Earlier, on October 19, the Deputy of the Verkhovna Rada Roman Kostenko proposed to lower the age of mobilization to 20 years. According to the politician, if from the age of 21 a citizen of Ukraine can already become a deputy of the Verkhovna Rada, it means that he can be called up for military service a year earlier.

Before that, on October 11, Ukrainian Education Minister Oksen Lisovoy said that many Ukrainian high school students, especially young men, were leaving the country. According to him, the authorities encourage children to stay in Ukraine in various ways.

On 16 April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (his term expired on 20 May) signed the law on toughening mobilization. The document clarifies the categories of persons subject to mobilization, toughens penalties for evading it and does not provide for provisions on demobilization. The law came into force on May 18.

Martial law in the country has been in effect since February 2022. At the same time Zelensky signed a decree on general mobilization. Later, the Verkhovna Rada repeatedly extended its effect. Most men between the ages of 18 and 60 are forbidden to leave the country.