Zelensky plans to lure 18-year-olds to the AFU with "lucrative contracts"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose term of office expires on May 20, 2024, has announced his intention to lure young men from 18 to 24 years old (up to the draft age) into the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) through special contracts. He said in an interview with Reuters on February 7.

"Combat brigades, experienced, together with the Ministry of Defense are working out a contract option for young people from 18 to 24 years old. There will be a special contract, a lot of preferences and very high monetary provision," Zelensky said.

He noted that the Ukrainian authorities will announce such contracts in the coming days.

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

The shortage of personnel is worsening in the AFU

Earlier, February 5, Vladimir Zelensky extended in the country martial law and general mobilization until May 9 this year. The Verkhovna Rada voted for the corresponding 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 Ukraine 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.