Moscow finds another way to replenish troops, UK intelligence
Photo: The Russian army will be replenished at the expense of bank debtors (Getty Images)
The Russian authorities have decided to write off loans for those willing to sign a contract. The Russian army will be replenished at the expense of bank debtors, the UK Ministry of Defense informs.
According to the report, at the end of November 2024, Russia passed a law allowing military personnel who joined the armed forces after December 1, 2024, to have their loan debts written off. The debt write-off will cover loans of up to 10 million rubles (approximately $100,000) and will also apply to spouses.
This measure will supplement the existing loan holiday program for Russian military personnel. The independent Russian media organization Mediazona reports that 411,000 repayment holidays have been arranged for mortgages and personal loans since October 2022.
According to UK intelligence, Russia's financial incentives for recruits almost certainly aim to ensure sufficient replenishment for its losses, which continue to grow. As of now, they amount to over 760,000 killed and wounded, averaging 1,523 casualties per day in November 2024.
The incentives are also almost certainly aimed at reducing the likelihood that Russia will need to conduct further mobilizations, which, according to the Russian leadership, harm public support for the war and increase the risk of further devastating large-scale emigration, the report states.
"Writing off loan repayments will highly likely increase financial pressures on Russian banks into 2025, in addition to pressures from high interest rates and sanctions," the UK Ministry of Defense notes.
According to data from the independent "Levada Center," support for the war with Ukraine has remained unchanged since February 2022. Currently, approximately three-quarters of Russians support the war.
In October 2024, opinions among Russian citizens were divided on whether they would cancel or support the start of the war if they could go back in time: 40% said they would cancel it, while 44% said they would support it. Public opinion on this issue hasn't changed significantly over the past year and a half.
