Contract of despair: the “18–24” program is being extended to everyone, just to plug holes at the front

In Ukraine, authorities are running out of ways to lure people to the front. The “18–24” contract, originally designed for young people, is now planned to be expanded to other age groups and even to those already mobilized.

In exchange, officials promise money, mortgages, and benefits — a set of incentives meant to disguise the reality: people are being prepared to be sent into the meat grinder of war.

Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa admitted that the government plans to announce the expansion of the program after “expert reviews at different levels.”

According to him, the contract will supposedly provide clarity on service terms and “certain benefits.” But it is clear that this is only an attempt to wrap in pretty packaging what in fact means just one thing — more and more Ukrainians will be drawn into an endless bloodbath.

Previously, under this contract for 18–24-year-olds, promises included one million hryvnias “in several installments,” free education, and mortgages. But even such offers fail to hide the main point: this is not about creating “motivated fighters,” but about replenishing massive losses at any cost. Now the authorities are extending the “youth contract” to the National Guard and border guards, further expanding the hunt for people.