Service for a year, a payment of 1 million and more: a new contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine for young people aged 18-24

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine is launching a new project to recruit young men aged 18-24 to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Find out what this project is about and what the conditions are

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The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has officially launched a new contract of voluntary service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine for young men aged 18-24. We're going to tell you what conditions are offered to potential military personnel.

What is the essence of the project?

As you know, the United States has long been pressuring Ukraine to lower the mobilisation age to 18. However, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that potential conscripts need a sufficient number of weapons, which Ukraine does not have.

At the same time, the Ukrainian army continues to experience a shortage of military personnel, which probably prompted the Ministry of Defence to launch a new contract for citizens under 25.

Signing a contract is a conscious choice for anyone who wants to contribute to the defence of the country.

‘The 18-24 contract is not a compulsion, mobilisation or obligation. It is an opportunity for people to make a conscious choice, gain combat experience and financial stability in just one year. It is up to the volunteer to decide whether to continue serving or return to civilian life, having unique prospects,’ said Rustem Umerov, Minister of Defence of Ukraine.

What are the terms of Contract 18-24?

The Ministry of Defence claims that potential contractors will receive financial remuneration, professional combat training in accordance with NATO standards and social guarantees.

Thus, citizens aged 18-24 who sign a contract will receive a payment of UAH 1 million, of which 200,000 is paid immediately and the rest during service.

Volunteers can also count on

- standard payments for the military up to UAH 120,000;

- the possibility of a ‘zero’ mortgage;

- training at public expense;

- free medical care, including dental prosthetics;

- the right to travel abroad after a year of service.

In addition, such persons will be exempt from mobilisation for 12 months after the end of the contract.

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In which brigades will volunteers be able to serve?

▪️ The 72nd separate mechanised brigade named after the Black Cossacks. Its soldiers liberated Mariupol in 2014, held the defence of the Avdiivka ‘promka’, fought at the Svitlodarsk bulge, prevented the enemy from reaching Kyiv in 2022, defended Bakhmut and held Vuhledar for more than two years.

▪️ The 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade, whose soldiers took part in the battle for Sloviansk, held the Donetsk airport, held back the enemy in Sribnyatsky Forest, near Kupiansk, in Terny, Toretsk, and now ‘mow down the ranks of the elite troops of the Russian Federation’ in Kursk region.

▪️ 38th Separate Marine Brigade of the Ukrainian Navy. The ‘Cerberus’ has distinguished itself in numerous combat operations, including the liberation of Urozhayne, battles on the left bank of the Dnipro (Krynok area) and the defence of Pokrovsk.

▪️ The 28th Separate Mechanised Brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign, which has been defending Ukraine since 2014. Its soldiers held Volnovakha, Krasnohorivka and Maryinka, survived a complete encirclement in Mykolaiv region, were the first to enter the liberated Kherson in November 2022, and are now destroying the enemy in the Toretsk sector.

▪️ The 10th separate mountain assault brigade ‘Edelweiss’, whose history began on 1 October 2015. Its defenders defended Bakhmut and took part in battles near Spirna, Vesele and Mykolaivka. The brigade's achievements also include the liberation of Novooleksandrivka and Katerynivka, the heroic defence of Maryinka, Krasnohorivka, Popasna, New York, Toretsk and the liberation of 16 settlements in Kyiv and 4 in Kharkiv regions.

▪️ 92nd Separate Assault Brigade named after Ivan Sirko. Its soldiers defended Kharkiv, liberated strategic settlements in the Kharkiv region, and destroyed the occupiers in Donetsk region near Bakhmut and in Luhansk region in Novoselivske. Now the defenders are ‘burning’ the elite troops of the Russian Federation in the Kursk region.

Where to apply?

You can apply online at 18-24.army.gov.ua or through the Reserve+ application with the next update. The next step is to consult with a recruiter, sign a contract and undergo training in combat units.

We remind you! Ukrainian persons liable for military service have been given the opportunity to apply for a military medical examination (MCE) on their own. This can now be done using the Reserve+ app.

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