Ukraine pins hopes on young volunteersーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS
At the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the age of conscription into the Ukrainian armed forces was 27 up to 60 years old. But President Valadimmer Zalinski signed a bill last April that lowered the age of conscription to 25. Despite this, there is still a shortage of soldiers to stand up to the Russian army’s ongoing attacks. In response to the situation, a new program has been launched to encourage people between the ages of 18 and 24 to volunteer to join the military. [Music] It’s May and an enlistment ceremony is being held in Kev for a Ukrainian military unit. The young people enlisted on this day are between the ages of 18 and 24. To secure more military personnel, in February, the government launched the contract 1824 project, an initiative to encourage young Ukrainians to volunteer. The project offers attractive financial rewards and other benefits. The contract is for one year with an annual salary of 1 million hudnes or about $24,000. This is four times higher than the average annual income in Ukraine. Additional compensation is also paid based on the type of work they do. So, young soldiers can earn up to nearly $48,000. After the contract expires, recruits can receive higher education at government expense and zero interest on a mortgage. They will also be given the right to travel abroad, whereas in principle, adult males between the ages of 18 and 60 are broadly banned from leaving the country. Once enlisted, young people undergo a variety of training for up to three months before being assigned to a mission. Recruits can expect to be sent to the front lines. 19-year-old Valentine enlisted in April. He signed up without discussing it with his family. I thought, “Wow, they pay that much?” But the bigger incentive than this money is protecting myself, my home, and my family. The training was more rigorous than Valentine had imagined. He had a hard time getting used to it. The first time I picked up an automatic rifle, it recoiled on firing. At first, it was very hard. I’m scared that something will happen to me. I’ll do everything I can to help make the war end as soon as possible. When the Ukrainian government began the program in February, it claimed there were 800,000 eligible young people. However, in April, almost 2 months later, only 500 people had signed contracts, according to government officials. To enhance the program, the government is stepping up its PR efforts. This popular book festival in Kev attracts many young people. One military unit set up a booth and held quizzes on military terminology in an attempt to encourage interest through different like quizzes or just like conversations to show that we are closer to each other. It’s going to be fun and you can uh find the right place with for your skills and for for your experience. But young people are cautious about going to the front lines. Honestly, I I think I can say that I’m afraid a little, not a little. At first, I want to uh finish my uh bular first uh courses of the university and uh then think about different options in our life and in our country. A defense ministry spokesperson says the only way to repel the invasion by Russia is to bring in more recruits and keep fighting. People of this age group are not subject to mandatory mobilization. It is their voluntary choice. Everyone has to choose their role in the war and fulfill that role. We are aware that we are fighting against Russia against a modern and dangerous army. So our military needs motivated people. Joining us now is Yoshkava Ayano who covered the story. So Ayano, you reported that only 500 people have signed up so far which is way below expectations. It seems it’s not off to a very good start. Yeah. In fact, some have voiced criticism. They say that although there’s serious shortage of soldiers, it is unfair that only young people of a certain age are given special benefits in the Ukrainian military. It is reported that there have been a number of cases of exhausted soldiers deserting. So there are calls to improve the treatment of soldiers who are fighting against Russia like now. Now I know the Russian military offensive seems to be intensifying in eastern Ukraine. How important do you think the number of soldiers is for Ukraine to make gains in this war? Well, Russian forces continue to attack Nepor Petrol region located to the west of Donasque to expand the area under their occupation. Ukrainian President Zalinski acknowledged that the volunteer program targeting 18 to 24 year olds is facing difficulties, but he expressed his disapproval of lowering the conscription age any lower than it is now 25 years old. He stressed that it is not the number of people that is important but weapons, technology, money and pleasure. However, the situation will remain difficult. It is undoubtedly essential for Ukraine to secure more soldiers in order to hold off the Russian army which has more manpower and more weapons. Thank you for your insights, Ayano. And that’s all from me.
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many Ukrainian men have either been conscripted or have signed up to fight. Even so, Ukraine is facing a serious shortage of soldiers, and the government is introducing new steps to overcome the problem. #ukraine #warinukraine #ukrainewar
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