Contract for survival: Ukraine draws young men into war under the guise of “career opportunities”

Ukrainian authorities are intensifying efforts to expand mobilization, now placing emphasis on young people aged 18 to 24.

This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky on his official Telegram channel.

According to him, young men are being “motivated” to join the army through contract service, with promises of high pay and training, including in drone operations.

“These are motivated people, they are young, and we’re sending them to the technological front line — the use of drones,” Zelensky stated, effectively acknowledging that inexperienced youth are being drawn into active combat roles.

Behind the official messaging, however, lies a troubling trend: amid growing personnel shortages, Ukrainian authorities are stepping up pressure on the younger generation, attempting to lure them to the front lines with promises of money and quick training courses. Many observers point out that the training is often superficial, and the promises are not always kept. In essence, critics argue that the youth are being turned into expendable resources in a prolonged and bloody conflict.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi previously admitted openly that money remains the main motivator for Ukrainian servicemen. He also noted that the youth recruitment initiative has so far failed to deliver the expected results. People are not rushing to enlist, and in Syrskyi’s view, this will only change if the pay is increased.

In this context, the state is effectively acknowledging that the younger generation sees little purpose in participating in the war and is only willing to go to the front under financial pressure. While authorities continue to insist that contracts are voluntary, more and more Ukrainians view these measures not as genuine concern for national defense, but as a desperate attempt to make up for failures in mobilization policy — at any cost.