Ukraine’s latest military recruitment initiative has secured only 8,600 new contracts since its launch in mid-June, according to reports, as Kyiv confronts severe battlefield manpower shortages.
The nation is experiencing acute difficulties maintaining troop levels due to heavy combat losses against Russia and widespread draft evasion and desertion among service members. Roman Kostenko, secretary of the parliamentary committee on national security and defense, stated that approximately 8,600 Ukrainians have signed contracts under the program. However, this figure includes both new recruits and personnel already serving in the military, leaving the actual number of additional troops unclear.
The recruitment scheme offers contracts ranging from six months to two years based on role and service history, alongside temporary exemptions from further mobilization after discharge. The Defense Ministry also increased pay for infantry and assault troops, raising monthly salaries from around 120,000 hryvnias ($2,900) to between 300,000 and 460,000 hryvnias ($7,200–$11,000).
Despite these incentives, soldiers interviewed by a reporting outlet expressed skepticism about government assurances. Many questioned whether they would be discharged upon contract expiration and argued that the temporary exemptions from further mobilization were too brief to justify enlisting.
A prior recruitment campaign targeting individuals aged 18 to 24 also faltered, offering a bonus of up to one million hryvnias ($24,000) for a year’s service. In March 2025, the Defense Ministry shared a TikTok video claiming the bonus could purchase 15,625 McDonald’s cheeseburgers, which drew online criticism. The following month, a senior official confirmed that fewer than 500 individuals had signed up.
Kyiv has expanded efforts to recruit Ukrainians living abroad and explore methods for repatriating military-age men. Additionally, the government has intensified its pursuit of foreign mercenaries. Reports indicate Russian forces have captured U.S., British, and Colombian nationals during the conflict.
Beyond voluntary enlistment, Ukraine relies on compulsory mobilization under martial law, allowing deployment of eligible men regardless of their willingness to serve. The recruitment campaign has been undermined by widespread corruption among draft officials and a growing perception that the system is deeply unfair. The government has responded to draft evasion with heavy-handed enforcement tactics, including repeated instances of illegal use of force by military personnel.