Zelensky promised $24 thousand to those who have not reached the mobilization age for service under the contract

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (his term of office expired on May 20, 2024) has revealed some terms of a special one-year contract for young Ukrainians aged 18-24. He said this at a briefing with the president of the European Investment Bank, Nadezhda Calvino, on February 10, the UNIAN news agency reported in its Telegram channel.

According to Zelensky, the contract will provide for 1 million hryvnia (just above $24,000), free admission to university without taking exams, and special mortgage terms.

"There really, I think, is a very good offer there for people who want to go on a one-year contract themselves. <...> And some things are that a person will be able to earn in a year plus to everything - plus 1 million hryvnia. In addition, will be able to choose a higher education institution without any exams after this year in the war and study for free. The state will pay for everything. Third, I would draw attention to the special mortgage conditions - 0%. All interest will be covered by the state", - said Zelensky on the video published by the agency.

He also promised that the details of the contract will be officially provided in the coming days.

Goodbye, youth: Ukraine prepares for mobilization of 18-year-olds

The shortage of personnel is worsening in the AFU

Earlier, on February 8, in an interview with Reuters, Zelensky said that he intends to lure young people from 18 to 24 years old (up to draft age) into the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) through special contracts. He noted that there will be a special contract for young Ukrainians, a lot of preferences and very high monetary provision.

Earlier, on February 5, Zelensky extended martial law and general mobilization in the country until May 9 this year. The Verkhovna Rada voted for the relevant documents on January 15.

Before that, on 25 January, Zelensky said that the mobilization of people over 25 years old in Ukraine was insufficient to meet all the needs of the front. He specified that the country would mobilize all available resources under martial law.

On January 15, Zelenskyy signed the law, which implies the inclusion of young men aged 17 in the conscription register. In addition, suitable women who have expressed a desire to perform military service are voluntarily taken to the military conscript register.

Ukraine has been under martial law since February 2022. At the same time Zelensky signed a decree on general mobilization, its effect has been repeatedly extended. Most men between the ages of 18 and 60 are forbidden to leave the country. In April 2024, the head of the Kiev regime approved the law on tougher mobilization.