Kiev uses McDonald’s to refill exhausted military ranks

(MENAFN) The Ukrainian military has resorted to offering fast food incentives to encourage young people to join the army, as it faces difficulties replenishing its ranks. A new TikTok video released by the Defense Ministry showcases how many McDonald’s cheeseburgers a recruit can buy by signing up for a year of service. The video features a man exiting a McDonald’s restaurant and revealing that 15,625 burgers can be purchased with the equivalent of $24,000. This amount is offered as part of a special contract for recruits aged 18 to 24, with an upfront payment of $5,400.

The video is part of Ukraine’s effort to boost enlistment amid heavy casualties and challenges with desertion and draft evasion. However, the use of cheeseburgers as a selling point has sparked backlash, with social media users criticizing the approach as callous and exploitative. Many accused the military of devaluing the lives of young Ukrainians and criticized the contract offer for being discriminatory compared to the lower pay of other soldiers.

Despite tightening mobilization rules and lowering the conscription age, Ukraine has struggled to meet recruitment goals, with Western allies urging the government to lower the age requirement further. Meanwhile, violent clashes between recruiters and draft evaders have become increasingly common.

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