Kiev uses McDonald’s to replenish depleted army ranks

The Ukrainian military has turned to fast food in a bid to lure more young recruits into the army’s ranks. A fresh video published by the nation’s Defense Ministry on TikTok tells its target audience just how many cheeseburgers they can afford by joining the country’s forces to fight Russia.

The short clip shows a man dressed in plain clothes coming out of a McDonald’s. The man asks, “How many cheeseburgers can be bought for 1 million hryvnas ($24,000)?” and goes on to reveal that 15,625 burgers can be bought for that sum in Ukraine. A person aged between 18 and 24 can get the necessary amount by signing a contract with the Defense Ministry, he adds.

The video is part of Kiev’s attempts to recruit more soldiers in the face of heavy casualties in its conflict with Russia and a mobilization campaign marred by widespread draft dodging and desertion.

In February, the Defense Ministry announced “special contracts” for volunteers aged 18 to 24, promising the equivalent of $24,000 for one year’s service, with $5,400 paid upfront and the remainder distributed over the service period…