Ukraine's one-year army contract for volunteers aged 18 to 24 is proving efficient on the battlefield, Protection Minister Rustem Umerov stated at a June 26 press briefing, citing recent reviews from commanders throughout the entrance line.
Umerov stated items made up of younger contract troopers had proven "resilience, professionalism, and assured actions in fight," difficult early skepticism in regards to the new recruitment mannequin.
"We noticed them on the battlefield — and it's really motivating."
The contract, launched in February, affords substantial advantages to younger volunteers. It contains fundamental normal army coaching, vocational coaching, and an adaptation course in a military unit. Volunteers will obtain a one-time financial support cost of Hr 1 million ($24,000) and a month-to-month allowance of as much as Hr 120,000 ($3,000).
The marketing campaign initially confronted backlash from some front-line troops and activists, who argued it created unfair disparities in pay and assist. Now, the initiative is being credited with bettering efficiency in particular items, Umerov stated, citing inside army assessments acquired by the ministry two weeks in the past.
Umerov, nonetheless, hasn't shared the variety of troopers recruited by means of the marketing campaign.
The marketing campaign is beneath fixed analysis primarily based on monetary, personnel, and coaching metrics. Umerov stated the Protection Ministry is working to boost the motivational package deal additional, utilizing knowledge and suggestions from members and focus teams.
Regardless of stress from worldwide companions, notably the US, to decrease Ukraine’s mobilization age from 25 to 18, service for these aged 18–24 stays voluntary. President Volodymyr Zelensky has persistently rejected obligatory mobilization beginning at 18, warning that it might harm Ukraine's long-term future.
In a latest interview, Zelensky stated Ukraine's Western allies have at instances withheld new sanctions on Russia over Kyiv's refusal to decrease the draft age. He confused that the "weapons and know-how," relatively than uncooked manpower, have been extra decisive on the battlefield.
Ukraine faces personnel challenges as Russian forces proceed to press alongside the entrance line. Whereas a mobilization reform legislation lowered the draft age from 27 to 25 in 2024, the tempo of latest enlistment has slowed, leaving infantry items understaffed.
"The youthful technology is a strong human useful resource that deserves assist and improvement," Umerov stated.
The Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak