Funds disbursed in three stages: The Ministry of Defense explained the "Contract 18-24" payments and outlined the program's objectives.

The initiative by the defense ministry to recruit young conscripts into the army since its presentation has garnered both opponents and supporters. The Ministry of Defense has noted an increased interest among Ukrainians aged 18 to 24 who are willing to serve under quite favorable conditions.

"Telegraph" inquired with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine about the conditions under which young servicemen who joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine prior to the implementation of new regulations can expect benefits, the costs associated with its implementation, and the ministry's stance on claims regarding the discriminatory nature of the project.

Six New Brigades in the First Phase

One of the questions raised by current young servicemen regarding the "Contract 18-24" program, which offers a range of financial incentives and benefits for recruits, is whether they will also be eligible for the same incentives. Specifically, additional payments, housing rental compensation during service, zero mortgage rates, etc. The Ministry of Defense emphasizes that contracts for this age group are voluntary. To attract motivated citizens willing to defend Ukraine, receive quality training, and become part of combat units, certain preferences have been proposed.

- The financial package consists of a one-time monetary assistance of one million hryvnias, which is paid in three installments, – explains the algorithm in the Ministry's press service. – The first installment – 200 thousand hryvnias immediately after signing the contract. This initial support allows volunteers to commence service. The second – 300 thousand hryvnias – is paid within five working days after completing basic training. And the third – 500 thousand hryvnias on the day of removal from the personnel lists of the military unit upon contract completion.

Additionally, there is also a serviceman's salary, which is separate (that is, volunteers will receive a monthly salary of up to 120 thousand hryvnias). This includes basic pay, additional cash allowances, which are supplemented by combat payments and depend on the conditions of task execution.

Moreover, payments of 1 million hryvnias are also provided for servicemen of the private, senior, and sergeant ranks who joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the age of up to 25 before the relevant government decree came into effect.

To qualify for this reward, these servicemen must have participated directly in military operations for six months and have no records of being charged with criminal, administrative, or disciplinary offenses. The reward is also paid in cases where the six-month participation condition is not met due to injury or captivity. This is fair, as many went to defend the Motherland earlier, before these contracts were available, – the ministry explains.

Since the Ministry of Defense reported that just a week after the launch of the "Contract 18-24" program, over 10,000 applications had already been submitted in the "Reserve+" app, a logical question arises: is the country's budget ready for significant additional expenses? However, the Ministry did not specify a clear amount needed to fulfill all promises to young contractors, as the contracting process under the new conditions has only begun.

- In the first phase, participants in the program will form six new brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (such a tactical military unit can consist of between 1,000 to 8,000 personnel – Ed.), which will allow: to enhance the army's combat capability through newly trained servicemen, ensure quality personnel rotation, and create a personnel reserve that can strengthen units when necessary, – noted in the Ministry of Defense. – The funding for this initiative is included in the State Budget of Ukraine, and the program is designed to ensure the stability of payments. It is important to understand that investments in defense are not merely expenses but a strategic decision to preserve the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. As for the number of potential participants, recruitment is ongoing, and its results will be analyzed for further improvement of the program.

Questions of Rotation and Service Terms in Focus

Another major point criticized by the Ministry of Defense in the context of the new initiative is the clear service terms only for recruits under the age of 25. As a reminder, they can resign after one year. "Telegraph" inquired about plans for motivating and rewarding other categories of active servicemen and the response to the criticism of the program.

- Attracting people to the army is a conscious and voluntary choice. That is why this program does not foresee mobilization but creates conditions for those who wish to join the defense of Ukraine, – noted in the Ministry's press service. – Servicemen who are already in the Armed Forces understand the strategic necessity of replenishing personnel. New volunteers will allow for: effective rotations and reduce the burden on active units; create opportunities for fighters to recover, which is critically important during prolonged combat operations.

Regarding service terms, the issue of military rotation and creating fair conditions is a priority for the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff, and the government. Work is already underway to improve approaches to army staffing, and any changes will be made considering the situation at the front and the real military needs.

We value the opinions of society and servicemen, and therefore we carefully analyze all feedback on this initiative. It should be understood that no military reform is simple. The implementation of the "Contract 18-24" is an experimental model that will allow for assessing the effectiveness of new approaches to army staffing.

At the same time, the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff, and the government are working on a systematic approach to issues of rotation, service terms, and social protection for all servicemen. Work in this direction will continue, and all decisions will be made based on the real needs of the front and the country's security. Ukraine is grateful to every soldier standing guard over the state. Our common goal is to ensure a strong, motivated, and combat-ready army, – summarized in the Ministry of Defense.

As reported by "Telegraph," according to people's deputy from the "Servant of the People" party Aнастасия Ляшенко, the decision by the Ministry of Defense to attract youth to the army indicates a crisis in human resources. For victory at the front, smart and physically fit young men are needed.