Not just with money: how Zelensky's "Resilience Plan" will rejuvenate the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The "Resilience Plan" of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky consists of 10 points, one of which focuses on "youth renewal" in the army. While there are no plans to lower the conscription age, specific motivational incentives will be offered to young people for completing combat tasks.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and military leadership will introduce a new system of military contracts for citizens who have not reached the mobilization age but wish to defend the country.

"And there should be no speculation — our state is not preparing to lower the mobilization age," emphasized Zelensky.

This new approach will potentially allow the army to transition from a mobilization-based structure to a contract-based one. The President highlights the importance of discussing issues within the Armed Forces of Ukraine: they need to be addressed rather than ignored.

According to current legislation, during wartime, military obligations apply to men aged 25 to 60 who are fit for service, without prior military experience. Those aged 18-25 can be conscripted if they have completed mandatory service during peacetime, graduated from a higher military educational institution or military department, and received the rank of reserve officer with a military specialty.

In October 2024, the Office of the President of Ukraine complained about pressure from American politicians from both the Democratic and Republican parties regarding the issue of lowering the mobilization age. Allies justified this idea by recalling that during the Vietnam War, conscription began at 19.

"President Zelensky has not caved in and continues to persuade politicians from both parties to provide weapons without changing the conscription age," noted the advisor to the head of the Office of the President, Serhiy Leshchenko.

Motivation through Financial Incentives: What Will Be Offered to the Youth

The Ukrainian army primarily consists of mobilized individuals over 40 years old with a "variety of health issues." Ideally, we would like to see young, healthy people aged 25 to 35, but currently, there is no such trend, acknowledged Colonel Artem Ilyukhin of the 4th Operational Brigade "Rubezh."

According to Ilyukhin, it is quite common for a person to initially join the service without motivation, but later, after becoming part of a friendly brotherhood, they "blossom" during their service.

"They begin to realize that if they get injured, they will have a tourniquet applied and be pulled out of hell. This gives them motivation, faith in themselves, and their weapon," emphasizes the military.

One potential way to attract the younger generation to military service could be through financial incentives. However, it is still too early to discuss specific measures, as they are being developed by the top leadership of Ukraine, notes Alexander Fedienko, a member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence.

Motivation for young soldiers could manifest not only in special payment conditions but also in offering benefits for education at institutions, accessible loans for purchasing apartments or cars. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is obliged to develop concrete measures on this issue and present them to parliament, the politician added.

"Injured Soldiers Are Released from Service with a Salary of 600 Hryvnias": What Undermines the Motivation to Serve?

Material and social incentives must be supported by the right ideological policy. Without patriotic education, motivational mechanisms are futile, believes military expert Oleg Zhdanov.

The state should better inform citizens about the conditions of service and opportunities for soldiers. A quality advertising campaign must demonstrate that the army represents unity, support, and brotherhood, rather than constant danger.

An important motivational aspect is providing medical insurance for the entire family of the soldier, regardless of age, and allowing children to receive free education at any state university.

"The U.S. Army improves contract conditions for its servicemen every year. The state constantly motivates them and their families. In contrast, here a person gets injured, is released from service, and receives about 600 hryvnias in salary per month. And what sane person would agree to such terms?" he questions.

According to Zhdanov, conscripting Ukrainians starting at 20 years old seems justified, but the upper age limit is better set at 50 years. Older soldiers could be engaged in labor mobilization to meet the army's needs.

Recall that earlier, the Verkhovna Rada opposed recruiting volunteers into the Armed Forces of Ukraine for large sums of money, as is done in Russia. Ukrainians are ready to fight "for their land and the right to live freely," believes People's Deputy from "Servant of the People" Ihor Kryvosheiev.