Russian regions hike war bonuses amid recruitment drive
The Russian authorities have no choice. Local media report that some regions are steadily increasing the payouts for going to war. The one-time amount now exceeds 1 million rubles, about CAD 19,000. Western intelligence reports that the Kremlin wants to enlist almost half a million new military personnel this year.
The war in Ukraine has been ongoing for over two years. Western intelligence has repeatedly reported that the Russians are recruiting hundreds of thousands of soldiers to compensate for the losses.
Novaya Gazeta reports that regional payments for signing a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense have increased 80-fold.
There is clearly a shortage of volunteers to sign contracts in the quantities needed by the military, given the current level of losses in the Russian army and the intensity of combat operations. It remains difficult to assess whether these payments are effective, says military expert Pavel Luzin.
Big money for Russians. Which region pays the most?
According to Russian media, Karachay-Cherkessia is currently the leader in terms of payments. This region already pays 1.3 million rubles for signing the war contract. Considering the federal bonus, the total payment amount in the region has reached 1.5 million rubles (about CAD 27,000). A contract soldier from Adygea receives nearly the same amount.
In the Krasnodar territory, the one-time bonus for signing a contract is 1 million rubles, and Krasnodar itself adds 250,000 rubles for those who sign contracts at city commissariats. This is the third-highest rate in the country.
Novaya Gazeta reports that since the beginning of the war, 51 regions have introduced bonuses and raised them at least once, with the average salary amount increasing 15-fold over two years. Out of 73 regional payment increases throughout the war, 40, or more than half, took place in 2022. Due to the increases in the regions, local budgets recorded deficits totaling CAD 5.4 billion.
Pressure and decreasing conscription into the military
According to Pavel Luzin, interviewed by Novaya Gazeta, the subsidies allow regional authorities to pursue irresponsible financial policies, and the increase in bonuses indicates a lack of willingness to go to the front.
According to the expert, the authorities must resort to fraud, coercion, or raising money to increase the number of contract workers.
According to the British, the Kremlin expects 400,000 new soldiers this year.
