TASS reported that the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has just announced a new recruitment program called “Contract 18-24” to attract men between the ages of 18 and 24 to join military service under contract. This is considered an effort to solve the shortage of manpower in the country's army.
According to the announcement from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the participants will sign a one-year contract with attractive financial support. The total amount of support can be up to 1 million hryvnia (about 24,000 USD), including an initial payment of 200,000 hryvnia, 300,000 hryvnia upon completion of training, and 500,000 hryvnia at the end of the contract.
In addition, servicemen participating in the program can receive a monthly salary of up to 120,000 hryvnia (about 2,900 USD), along with additional bonuses for participating in combat missions.
The program also comes with a number of social support policies, including housing subsidies during service, the opportunity to get a 0% interest home loan under the “eOselia” program, and free university education according to state quotas, Ukrinform reported.
In particular, after completing the contract, the soldiers will be exempted from general mobilization for 12 months and have the right to freely leave Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stressed that the program is part of a plan to build a more professional army, attract motivated recruits and create fair conditions for service. “We are building a new recruitment system that meets modern challenges,” he said.
Mr. Umerov also affirmed that the program not only helps strengthen the army but also provides career opportunities for young people. “We are not only looking for people who are ready to fight, but also want to give them skills and opportunities to develop after completing their missions,” he added.
However, Ukraine's implementation of this recruitment program comes in the context that the country is facing pressure from the US to lower the general mobilization age to 18. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian army is still facing many difficulties in replenishing its forces amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
