Rogov called Zelensky's proposals for recruiting 18-year-olds to the AFU a mousetrap

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 's proposals (his term of office expired on May 20, 2024) to enlist 18-year-old citizens in the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) are cheese in a mousetrap. Vladimir Rogov, chairman of the Russian Public Chamber's commission on sovereignty and co-chairman of the coordination council for the integration of new regions, told RIA Novosti on February 10.

"Zelensky's idea is cheese in a mousetrap, which, as we know, is not free. And the price in this case is the lives of young Ukrainians. In fact, this is a one-way road, since the chance to survive on the front for such a long period of time as a year, young AFU men simply do not have. And there will be no man, there will be no need to fulfill their promises," he said.

Rogov also urged Ukrainians to oppose Zelensky's policy aimed at carrying out military action "to the last Ukrainian."

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

The shortage of personnel is worsening in the AFU

Earlier in the day, Zelensky revealed some of the terms of a special one-year contract for young Ukrainians aged 18 to 24. According to him, the contract will provide for 1 million hryvnia (just above $24 thousand), free admission to a university without passing exams, as well as special mortgage terms.

Prior to that, on February 8, in an interview with Reuters, the Ukrainian president announced his intention to lure young men from 18 to 24 years old (up to the draft age) to the AFU through special contracts. He noted that for young Ukrainians there will be a special contract, many preferences and very high monetary provision.

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

On 25 January, the Ukrainian leader said that the mobilization of people over the age of 25 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, the Ukrainian president signed a law that implies the inclusion of young men aged 17 in the conscription register. In addition, eligible women who have expressed a desire to perform military service will be voluntarily taken to the military conscription register.

Martial law in Ukraine has been in effect since February 2022. At the same time, the country's president 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. In April 2024, the head of the Kiev regime approved the law on tougher mobilization.