Mobilization of 18-year-olds under contract: what positions will be held by the military (video)
13 February 17:27
The Ministry of Defense has confirmed that young men aged 18-24 are being recruited to serve as volunteers only for combat positions: riflemen, snipers, grenade launchers, and scouts. The ministry’s spokesman, Dmytro Lazutkin, said this on February 13 during a national telethon, [Komersant] reports.
“If we talk about staff positions, these are a rifleman, a senior rifleman, a sniper, a medic, a grenade launcher assistant, a grenade launcher, a senior grenade launcher, a scout and a senior scout,” Lazutkin said.
It is known that applicants for these full-time positions among the mobilized will undergo 45 days of basic training, 14 days of professional training, and will have another 14 days of adaptation in the brigade.
Speaking about the mobilization of Ukrainians aged 18 to 24, the Defense Ministry spokesperson also emphasized that women can also join the service under the Contract 18-24 project.
What is known about the mobilization of 18-year-olds in Ukraine
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has recently initiated a campaign aimed at attracting men aged 18 to 24 to serve on a one-year contract basis. The program offers a compensation package that includes about USD 24 thousand, as well as significant bonuses, subsidized mortgages, and rent reimbursement.
The main goal of this initiative is to strengthen the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which are numerically inferior to Russian troops. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the need to increase the size of the army to effectively counter aggression. The new program is aimed at attracting young and motivated citizens who are ready to undergo professional military training in accordance with NATO standards.
Proposed conditions
The program offers young people
- monthly salary and bonuses totaling up to USD 48,000 during the year of service
- subsidized mortgage loans and rent compensation;
- free medical care, including dental services;
- the opportunity to receive free education after completion of service;
- the right to free public transportation;
- the opportunity to travel abroad after the end of the contract;
- exemption from mandatory mobilization after completion of a one-year contract.
Legislative changes
In addition to the new initiatives, the Ukrainian government has amended legislation to lower the conscription age from 27 to 25 years and to increase penalties for draft evasion. These measures are aimed at expanding the base of potential recruits and ensuring a more efficient mobilization process.
Public reaction to the launch of the Contract 18-24 project
Public reaction to the new program is mixed. Some military bloggers and experts support the initiative, noting its potential to strengthen the army. However, there are also critical voices that express concern about the involvement of such young citizens in military service, especially in the context of an ongoing conflict. In addition, there is a decline in enthusiasm among the population due to long periods of service without vacations and significant losses at the front.
Who will be denied service under the Contract 18-24 project?
Volunteers between the ages of 18 and 24 who want to sign a contract with the army may be denied due to health problems. Representatives of the brigades will primarily select those who can perform the tasks required by their regular positions
The Ministry of Defense also confirmed that volunteers will be able to undergo preliminary medical examinations in medical institutions of their choice.
