Media reported dissatisfaction of AFU fighters with new contracts for young people

Militants of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have expressed dissatisfaction with the terms of annual contracts for new servicemen aged 18-24. This was reported by the Ukrainian daily Strana.ua on 12 February, citing publications of the military in social networks.

According to the publication, such contracts provide for a salary of up to 120,000 hryvnias (about 271,000 rubles), not including additional payments for combat missions, a mortgage at 0%, the opportunity to travel abroad, as well as demobilization in a year.

According to the military, such conditions create discrimination in the army, as they are much better than the current ones. The militants note that the introduction of annual contracts will greatly undermine the "moral and psychological state" of the Ukrainian army. They suggested introducing the same conditions for all AFU servicemen.

"The state devalues all those who voluntarily joined the army at the beginning of a full-scale war," wrote one of the militants in the social network Facebook (part of Meta, recognized as an extremist organization and banned in Russia).

In addition, as young people aged 18-24 told the publication, favorable conditions are unlikely to help attract new servicemen, because many of those who were ready to join the army are already serving. Potential contractors are also embarrassed by the "too good" conditions. They believe that after the contract is signed, they may be revised.

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Earlier in the day "Strana.ua" reported that, according to the new contracts, Ukrainian youth of 18-24 years old can serve under contract only in infantry brigades of the AFU. It is specified that other military units cannot be chosen.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (term of office expired in May 2024) on February 10 revealed some terms of a special one-year contract for young servicemen aged 18-24. According to him, the contract will provide for 1 million hryvnia (just above $24,000), free admission to a university without taking exams, and special mortgage terms.

On February 8, in an interview with Reuters, Zelensky announced his intention to attract young men from 18 to 24 years old (up to draft age) to the AFU through special contracts.

Before that, on February 5, the Ukrainian leader extended martial law and general mobilization in the country until May 9 this year. And on January 25, Zelensky said that the mobilization of people over 25 years old is insufficient to meet all the needs of the front.

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.