High salary, education, housing: Zelenskyy details terms of military contracts for youth

“Combat brigades, experienced brigades, which are famous for their high level of training and professionalism, and above all for their low level of losses, because they know how to fight. Together with the Ministry of Defense, they have been working on such a contract for young people aged 18-24,” he said.

The president emphasized that “this is not mobilization, this is a contract offer” that provides for a special contract because the persons liable for military service in this category are not of mobilization age.

“It (the contract - ed.) has many preferences. A very high salary, the details will be made public any day now, there is a possibility of free education, free housing loans. This is a package for a young person. I know that this contract has been finalized for a year. And it will be offered,” Zelenskyy listed the benefits.

He added that the contract is already fully prepared. As far as the terms are concerned, everything is ready.

“The question is about technical steps. They depend on the Cabinet of Ministers. Today is the first step. And the first step is up to the Cabinet. The second step is for the parliament,” the head of state said.

But he refused to tell journalists the projected number of young Ukrainians who are to be recruited into the army under this program. According to him, a few months are needed to talk about the results.

Changes in the approach to military recruitment in Ukraine

Back in January of this year, it was reported that Ukraine was reforming its military recruitment system to attract young soldiers and increase the number of personnel.

Prior to that, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was preparing an initiative to recruit conscripts aged 18 to 24. A special contract will be in place for this category.