KYIV, Ukraine — In an effort to bolster its military ranks amid ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry is introducing a series of financial incentives aimed primarily at attracting young men aged 18 to 24. This demographic is currently not subject to the draft, which encompasses those aged 25 to 60, and despite a reduction in the conscription age from 27 to 25 last year, recruitment efforts have struggled to meet the demands of the war, which has now spanned nearly three years.
A significant challenge remains as some eligible men have chosen to leave the country, fleeing military service, while there have also been reports of increased desertions that have weakened the armed forces. As Ukrainian troops face growing pressure on the front lines, particularly in the eastern regions, and amid uncertainty regarding the continuation of military support from the United States, these recruitment challenges have become more pronounced. The Biden administration has been advocating for a further lowering of the draft age to 18 to help bolster armed forces.
Under the newly proposed program, men who volunteer will receive an attractive one-time signing bonus of 1 million hryvnias, equivalent to approximately $24,000, along with a monthly salary of 120,000 hryvnias, or about $2,900, as stated by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on the ministry’s website. Additional benefits are also a key part of the initiative, which include a 0% mortgage rate, government scholarships for higher education, expanded healthcare options like dental insurance, the ability to travel abroad after completing one year of service, and a waiver for the draft for 12 months following the expiration of their service contract.
However, this new offering has the potential to create tension among current military personnel, particularly those already engaged in essential support roles. Publicly available information indicates that soldiers fulfilling tasks such as command, logistics, air defense, and planning earn starting salaries of around 30,000 hryvnias, roughly $720 monthly. Only those directly participating in combat operations receive the significantly higher monthly salary of 120,000 hryvnias. It remains uncertain whether the same salary would be extended to younger recruits in supportive roles.
The Defense Ministry’s latest recruitment strategy also comes at a time when the government is facing mounting pressure to define a legal framework and timeframe for the demobilization of soldiers, an issue that continues to draw widespread criticism.
