Why does the 'Contract 18-24' program bypass officers? Opinion of a Hero of Ukraine

'Contract 18-24' program under fire of criticism

According to Главком: Senior Lieutenant Andrey Bublyk, head of the reconnaissance group of the 84th separate reconnaissance battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, criticized the conditions of the new 'Contract 18-24' program. He pointed out that it does not apply to officers and military personnel who already have active contracts. According to the officer, the program only covers privates, sergeants, and senior sergeants. This raises questions about fairness, especially against the backdrop that military university graduates sign contracts for five years, which automatically deprives them of the opportunity to participate in this initiative.

In his criticism, Andrey Bublyk also touched on other army issues, mentioning, in particular, collective punishments. He explained his position:

'First of all, I do not fall under these payments because I already have a signed contract.' Andrey Bublyk

This statement indicates that military personnel with active contracts remain outside the new program. 'We all know that when you sign a contract, you actually stay in the Armed Forces until the end of martial law, and your contract is simply automatically extended,' he added.

High award

On February 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine to five military personnel. Among the awardees were 22-year-old Senior Lieutenant Andrey Bublyk and Junior Sergeant Yuliya Khnykina, who received the 'Golden Star' order. For three out of five, this title was awarded posthumously. The posthumous orders were awarded to:

• Lieutenant Oleg Kutsin
• Captain Alexander Podvyshenniy
• Senior Soldier Anatoliy Stepanenko

Andrey Bublyk also spoke about the importance of motivation for defenders, emphasizing:

'Motivation is your life in this country. What other motivation should there be? If you don't want to live in a democratic system and you like Putin, then who and what can motivate you?' Andrey Bublyk

These words reflect his view on the role of military personnel in defending the country's independence and the values for which they fight. Such material incentive programs often become subjects of public discussion, especially in the context of prolonged confrontation.

The criticism of the 'Contract 18-24' program by the Hero of Ukraine raises serious questions about the equality of conditions for different categories of military personnel. Excluding officers from this initiative could potentially have a negative impact on the morale and motivation of the personnel amid a prolonged conflict. At the same time, Bublyk's words about deep motivation reflect an understanding of the fundamental challenges faced by Ukrainian soldiers in the current geopolitical reality.

The criticism of the 'Contract 18-24' program raises important questions about fairness in the army. While Andrey Bublyk emphasizes the shortcomings of the initiative, he also discusses broader issues, such as barriers and bureaucracy faced by military personnel. These aspects are becoming increasingly relevant in light of the modern challenges facing the Ukrainian army.