[49050] Ukraine examined a new recruitment model inspired by the Vietnam War but decided to scrap it

Ukraine rejects the "conscription lottery" model

A series of reports published on May 4, 2026, reveals that political echelons in Ukraine discussed the possibility of implementing a controversial recruitment model based on a lottery by birth date, similar to the system used in the United States during the Vietnam War.

According to РБК-Україна, as reported in Україна Online: Новини | Політика, the model was examined as an option for reforming the recruitment system, but the authorities ultimately decided to abandon the idea. Реальна Війна | Україна | Новини, a channel that presents a distinctly pro-government stance, noted that the model was defined as an "original concept" that was examined with the goal of streamlining recruitment, but clarified that the government has no intention of issuing conscription orders using this method.

At the same time, the channel Батальйон «Монако» | Україна | Новини reports that instead of the lottery model, the authorities have decided to focus on other ways to increase the military's size. According to the source, the administration now intends to "focus on improving payment conditions for soldiers and developing contract-based service."

The Україна⚡️Новини⚡️Війна channel also confirmed the reports and emphasizes that the model will not be implemented. It appears that among the main reports published on networks, there is a broad consensus that the Ukrainian government has closed the door on this initiative, opting instead for recruitment paths based on economic and professional incentives.