Ukraine has announced a financial incentive aimed at encouraging young men to enlist in its military, as the war with Russia continues. The Ukrainian defence ministry is offering men between the ages of 18 and 24 a signing bonus of 1 million hryvnias (around Rs 20 lakhs) along with a monthly salary of 120,000 hryvnias (Rs 2.9 lakhs), in a bid to bolster its forces amid growing battlefield challenges, news agency AP reported.
Currently, Ukraine’s military draft applies to men aged 25 to 60, after the conscription age was lowered from 27 last year. However, this move has not been sufficient to replenish the ranks, with many draft-age men either moving abroad or avoiding service. Desertions have also been an issue, weakening Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian advances, particularly in the east, where its forces are under pressure.
The new recruitment offer also includes additional benefits such as a 0% mortgage rate, scholarships for higher education, enhanced healthcare including dental care, and permission to leave the country after one year of service. Recruits will also receive a draft waiver for 12 months following the completion of their contract.
The initiative comes at a time when Ukraine is struggling to maintain troop numbers, and concerns have grown over whether military aid from the United States will continue if Donald Trump returns to office. The Biden administration had previously urged Ukraine to lower its draft age to 18, but Kyiv has opted for voluntary enlistment with financial incentives instead.
However, the offer risks stirring discontent among existing military personnel. Soldiers performing rear-guard duties such as planning, logistics, and air defence earn approximately 30,000 hryvnias (Rs 72,000) per month, far less than the 120,000 hryvnias promised to new recruits. Currently, only soldiers in direct combat zones receive salaries at that level, and it remains unclear whether new recruits will be paid the same if stationed elsewhere.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, where Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of obstructing the rotation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) staff. Russian forces seized control of the plant early in the invasion, and both sides have repeatedly accused one another of endangering nuclear safety. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry claimed Russia deliberately disrupted the rotation of IAEA experts, while Moscow accused Ukrainian forces of blocking access and launching drone attacks on the convoy transporting the personnel.
Separately, Ukraine announced the arrest of a high-ranking security official accused of working for Russia. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) stated that Vasyl Maliuk, head of the agency, personally led the operation, codenamed “Rat.” The detained official, reportedly a chief-of-staff within the SBU’s Anti-Terrorist Centre, is accused of passing sensitive information to Russia. The SBU claims to have documented 14 instances of espionage and has charged the suspect with high treason, which carries a potential life sentence.