War Consumes the Reserves: Ukraine Lures Gen Z with Cash and Perks
Amid a war that shows no sign of ending, and facing a deepening human resources crisis, Ukraine has made sweeping changes to its military recruitment strategy.
While Kyiv previously focused on enlisting men over 25 — preserving younger citizens as a future rebuilding force — it has now launched the “18–24 Contract” program. This government initiative aims to attract younger Ukrainians by offering unprecedented financial rewards and social benefits, attempting to fill a severe manpower gap after more than three years of war with Russia.
Kyrylo Horbenko is among the first to enlist under this program, joining the army as soon as he turned 18 in March 2024. His decision wasn’t solely based on patriotic enthusiasm but also on the extraordinary compensation package: a signing bonus of one million hryvnias (around $24,000), a zero-interest mortgage, and a rare vacation abroad — a luxury in wartime — according to The Wall Street Journal.
New Methods After Exhaustion of the Old
This move comes after Ukraine has nearly exhausted both traditional and unconventional means of recruitment. Most men willing to fight had already volunteered in earlier phases of the war. As casualties mount, recruiting new young men has become increasingly difficult.
Many of those eligible for service now hide or flee the country illegally, despite strict regulations forbidding men aged 18 to 60 from leaving Ukraine.
To tackle the shortage, authorities resorted to drastic measures: raids on nightclubs to locate draft dodgers and even early release for prisoners who agree to serve in the military.
The government also launched aggressive propaganda campaigns, both on the streets and in the media, under the slogan “Everyone will fight.” It lowered the mandatory service age from 27 to 25, resulting in a temporary spike in enlistment that quickly subsided.
Tailored Incentives for Generation Z
The advertised incentives — promoted on platforms like TikTok — include monthly salaries up to $3,000 (six times the national average), free university education, and subsidized healthcare, in an effort to match Gen Z’s financial and social expectations.
The approach mirrors that of Russia, which has successfully enlisted tens of thousands of men through bonuses of up to $10,000, especially in impoverished regions.
However, Ukraine — relying on limited Western aid — faces greater financial and logistical hurdles. So far, only 500 young men have joined the “18–24 Contract” program since February, hindered by bureaucratic delays and family resistance, according to officials.
Moreover, the initiative has stirred resentment among veteran soldiers, who mock the new recruits as “millionaires”, contrasting their own meager wages from the war’s early years.
A Generation at a Crossroads
Beneath the slogans and numbers lies a deeper existential dilemma for Ukraine’s youth. With the war dragging on and no real peace in sight, their options are limited: enlist for the money, try to build a fragile future, or emigrate in search of stability.
Vtemyr Ushak, 16, is studying Slovak as he plans to move to Bratislava.
“If I leave, I know I’m leaving for good… I no longer believe the war will end.”
Meanwhile, Major Yevhen Hromadsky, 24 — a decorated Hero of Ukraine — views the program as highlighting a generational divide: between those who’ve lived through war since 2014, and others who’ve known relative peace.
He calls for a mandatory two-year service program combining military training with university education, to build a more professional, tech-savvy army capable of facing modern warfare challenges.
