The contract "Contract 18-24", started by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in February 2024, had to become a new way of involving volunteers in the army. But in the last almost three months of its actions, real indicators do not reach expectations. According to the BBC with reference to sources in the General Staff of the Armed Forces, only about 400 people have signed a contract since February 11. On average, it is 135-140 people a month - an indicator that raises the question of the effectiveness of the initiative.
Against the backdrop of ambitious government statements, these figures look particularly contrasting. Back in March, the deputy head of the President of the President of the President claimed that the number of signatories exceeded 500. Probably meant both new volunteers and those who planned to go to the army before.
BBC journalists talked with the program participants. It turned out that everyone who was able to interview had previously intended to join the army - that is, the contract itself was not so much motivated by new people as they provided better conditions for those who were already ready to serve.
These conditions, by the way, are not quite simple: in order to get bonuses provided by the program, the soldiers need at least half a year to stay directly in the war zone. It is this requirement, according to analysts, that can restrain those who hesitate.
Nevertheless, the 18-24 program has a number of advantages: it provides a short-term contract (18 months), increased cash security and social guarantees. But it seems not enough material incentive to compensate for the risks of the front service.
Against the backdrop of the announced mobilization campaign and aggravation of the front, the issue of effective involvement of new military remains critical. The 18-24 contract should be a voluntary alternative to mobilization, but so far this mechanism looks rather as a pilot experiment rather than a large-scale personnel program.
