Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the expansion of the “Contract 18–24 ” program to involve more young people in drone operations, according to his evening address on July 29.
Under this program, volunteers aged 18 to 24 can join one of the brigades involved in the initiative.
The Cabinet of Ministers has already prepared an expansion of the 18–24 contract program to attract motivated youth specifically for drone-related work.
The list of participating units is expanding. So far, the program includes National Guard brigades, the State Border Guard Service, as well as airborne and mechanized brigades.
As part of the program, volunteers receive $27,000, with $5,400 paid immediately after signing the contract, and the remainder in two installments over the course of their service. Additionally, a monthly salary of up to $3,240 is provided, along with bonuses for combat assignments.
The contract also includes compensation for housing rental during service, the option to purchase a home through the “eOselya ” program at 0.0% interest after completing service, and state-funded education opportunities at educational institutions within established quotas after the contract ends.
Previously, it was reported that Kyiv is introducing a new interception system aimed at neutralizing Russian UAVs targeting the capital. The initiative, announced by the Kyiv City Military Administration on July 11, is being implemented under the direction of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In Ukraine, the mandatory military service age is typically between 18 and 27. However, the "Contract 18–24" program targets individuals aged 18 to 24 specifically for voluntary contracts, particularly to engage in drone operations. This program allows younger individuals to serve in Ukraine’s military without being part of the conscription system, which normally requires men between the ages of 18 and 27 to serve unless they are granted exemptions.
The "eOselya" program is a government initiative in Ukraine aimed at providing affordable housing options for military personnel and veterans.
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Ukraine Expands "Contract 18–24" Program to Engage Youth in Drone Operations – UNITED24 Media
