The Defense Ministry of Ukraine announced the beginning of voluntary recruitment of 18-year-old Ukrainians to the AFU

The Ukrainian Defence Ministry has announced the launch of annual contracts for the voluntary recruitment of Ukrainians aged 18-24 into the Ukrainian army. A statement to this effect was published on the ministry's website on February 11.

"The contract offers financial stability guaranteed by the state: a contract for 1 million UAH (2.3 million rubles. - Ed.), of which 200 thousand UAH (460 thousand rubles. - Ed.) are paid immediately, and the rest - during the service," the publication said.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, this project will open new opportunities for citizens of the country, including "decent financial remuneration, professional combat training according to NATO standards" and "exemption from mobilization for 12 months after completion of the contract."

This contract for men aged 18-24, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, is not coercion, mobilization and obligation, but is "an opportunity for people to make a conscious choice, gain combat experience and financial stability in just one year."

Running in place: why the new brigades of the AFU are disintegrating

The command complains of "bussification" and desertions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (term expired May 20, 2024) announced his intention to lure young men between 18 and 24 years of age (up to draft age) into the AFU through special contracts in an interview with Reuters on February 8 . Two days later he revealed some of the terms of a special one-year contract for young Ukrainians between the ages of 18 and 24. According to Zelensky, the contract will provide for 1 million hryvnias (just above $24 thousand), free enrollment in higher education without passing exams, as well as special mortgage terms.

In turn, 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, pointed out on February 10 that Zelensky's proposal to recruit 18-year-old citizens into the AFU is cheese in a mousetrap. He explained that, in fact, it was "a one-way road, as young AFU soldiers simply do not have a chance to survive at the front for such a long period of time as a year."

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 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.

Martial law in Ukraine has been in effect since February 2022. Then the President of the country 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.