A Ukrainian prisoner told about forcing 18-year-olds to sign contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are forcing 18-year-old Ukrainians to sign contracts. This was announced on April 10 by the Ukrainian prisoner Nikolai Chebanov, RIA Novosti reports.

He said that when he reached the age of majority, he wanted to enter military service, but because of martial law, he was refused.

"They did not take on military service — a contract and mobilization," Chebanov said.

According to the prisoner, he was persuaded to sign a contract with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, claiming that he would not have to participate in hostilities. However, soon after that, the young man was sent on a combat mission.

Chebanov clarified that the entire platoon consisted of 18-year-old contract soldiers who refused to enter the contact line.

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On February 8, Ukrainian prisoner of war Maxim Zolotarenko said that the idea of contracts for service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine for citizens over the age of 18 was unreasonable. According to him, these are children who "haven't really lived anything."