At first, we had nothing but people — now it’s the other way around, says Ukrainian military recruiter

This was stated on Espreso TV by Ihor Zobkiv, Sergeant-Manager (third category) of the Recruitment Department at the Headquarters of the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade.

"We are currently recruiting citizens under the 18–24 contract. It’s a voluntary contract. We want to show that we’re looking for motivated people above all. Motivation is the key requirement. Recruits must be physically fit and mentally ready, and we will support them through every stage of service in the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade," Zobkiv said.

According to him, despite the favorable terms of the “Contract 18–24,” recruitment is going slowly.

"At the start of the war, we had nothing to fight with, but we had motivated people. Now it’s the opposite. We have equipment, but not enough people. That’s why the 18–24 contract, though experimental, targets motivated recruits. Still, recruitment is going poorly. People are afraid. Everyone’s heard stories about recruitment centers, and so on. But this can be dealt with. I invite anyone interested to come to our recruiting center, which opens on June 13," he added.

Contract for Ukrainians under 24: What’s known

In October 2024, the President’s Office said the U.S. was pressuring President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to lower the mobilization age. Later, the President stated that before lowering the age, brigades must be reinforced. "We’ve heard a lot from representatives of the previous U.S. administration and some NATO countries about the mobilization age. I won’t name a number, but we have over a hundred brigades, and each needs staffing and equipment — armor, artillery — every day," Zelenskyy said.

In December 2024, MP Fedir Venislavskyi said there were no legislative proposals to lower the mobilization age from 25 to 18.

In January 2025, the President’s Office reported that Ukraine would soon propose changes to laws and presidential decrees regarding the conscription of men aged 18 to 25.

Later, Venislavskyi, a member of the Verkhovna Rada defense committee, said the state plans to encourage young men under 25 to voluntarily join the army. According to him, Ukraine won’t offer better financial terms for contract soldiers than for those already serving, but one-time payments may be included in contracts.

In February, President Zelenskyy said Ukrainians aged 18 to 24 who sign contracts to serve in the Defense Forces could earn UAH 1 million per year. Additional bonuses are also planned.

Since February 12, applications have been open on Reserve+ app for the “Contract 18–24” project.