Expansion of ‘Contract 18–24’ for unmanned systems operators: key features of the new contract

On July 30, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine endorsed the initiative of the Ministry of Defence to broaden the experimental ‘Contract 18–24’ project. The project will now extend to established posts related to the operation of unmanned systems. A dedicated contract form has been approved for citizens under 25 seeking to join the Ukrainian military in these specialties.

Eligibility for a one-time financial assistance of UAH 1 million has also been extended to additional categories of service members. This applies to individuals under 25 who joined the Ukrainian military after the declaration of martial law but before the official launch of the project in February 2025. 

Another new feature of the project, applicable to all categories of contract holders aged 18–24, is the possibility of increasing the amount of the one-time financial assistance after the contract is signed. Such decisions may be taken by the Minister of Defence, subject to the personnel funding available under the Ministry’s budget. In such cases, the Minister shall determine the specific amount of the financial assistance and the procedure for its payment. 

The Ministry of Defence provides clarifications on the features of the new contract and other aspects of the experimental project.

Contract

What is new?  

Contracts for unmanned systems operator positions will be concluded for a period of two years. A mandatory requirement is at least 12 months of direct participation in combat.

Training

Due to the specifics of unmanned systems operation, training for these recruits has been extended from three to four months.

The training program will include, in particular:

• Basic General Military Training (BGMT) lasting 45 days;
• Specialized Training lasting from 5 days to 60 days;
• Adaptation Course within the military unit lasting 14 days.

If a recruit holds a relevant certificate in unmanned systems operation, such a certificate may be taken into account when determining the duration of specialized training.

If a service member fails the final assessment following specialized training, they may be reassigned to other positions related to unmanned systems operation while retaining all conditions of their contract.

The payment mechanism for one-time financial assistance for volunteers in unmanned systems operation positions remains as follows:  

• UAH 200,000 paid immediately upon signing the contract;
• UAH 300,000 after completing training and commencing military service;
• UAH 500,000 upon completion of the two-year contract, provided all conditions are met (including at least 12 months of participation in combat).

If martial law is terminated or revoked, or if the contract conditions regarding the required period of combat participation are not fulfilled, the unpaid third portion of the one-time financial assistance will be paid proportionally to the duration of military service, at the rate of 1/12 of UAH 500,000 for every 30 days of service.

Volunteers enlisted under this contract shall be entitled to the same benefits as other participants in the experimental project, specifically:

•  Eligibility for a 0% mortgage;
• Free education provided through a government-funded placement program;
• Service member social benefits package;
• Medical care.

Project participants who fulfill the conditions of the two-year contract will also be entitled to a one-year deferment from conscription and the right to travel abroad freely.

In addition to the one-time financial assistance, participants will receive monthly service remuneration of up to UAH 120,000.

The procedure for concluding this new type of contract remains unchanged (for details, see: https://mod.gov.ua/news/yak-rozpochati-sluzhbu-za-kontraktom-18-24-ta-yaki-yiyi-osoblivosti-detalne-roz-yasnennya). Candidate selection, as well as the provision of advisory and explanatory support, will be carried out by the Recruitment Centers and the military unit’s recruiting division.

Service under this contract will be available in rank-and-file positions within the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), the National Guard of Ukraine (NGU), and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. The specific list of established posts under this contract will be approved by separate decisions of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Main Directorate of the National Guard of Ukraine, and the Administration of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

Currently, twenty-four brigades of the AFU, five units of the NGU, and four units of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine are participating in the experimental project.

Eligible citizens wishing to join the Ukrainian military must submit their application in paper or electronic form to the Recruitment Centers or via their ‘Reserve+’ account.

Inclusion of additional categories of service members entitled to receive UAH 1 million

Adopted changes also extend eligibility for a one-time financial assistance of UAH 1 million to additional categories of service members. This applies to those who, since February 24, 2022, joined the Ukrainian military under the age of 25, served in rank-and-file, sergeant, or non-commissioned officer positions, and as of February 13, 2025, had at least six months of combat participation.

This provision applies to:

• Conscripts who signed contracts after the onset of the full-scale aggression;
• Service members certified for the conferment of an officer rank.