Russia lures contract soldiers with record payouts at regions' expense
Photo: Mobilization in Russia (Getty Images)
"Death auction" for Russian contract soldiers
Despite the deepening crisis in regional budgets, the Kremlin is demanding that Russia's regions raise signing bonuses for contract soldiers, the center said.
Current enlistment payments include:
- Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – 4.1 million rubles ($51,250);
- Dagestan – 3.6–4.1 million rubles ($45,000–$51,250);
- Karachay-Cherkessia – 3.1 million rubles ($38,750);
- Smolensk region – 2.1 million rubles ($26,250).
According to the Center for Countering Disinformation, some regions have even introduced cash rewards for recruiters because of a shortage of people willing to join the military.
Fewer volunteers
As Russia's losses in the war against Ukraine continue to mount, the flow of volunteers has been shrinking.
Nevertheless, Moscow is demanding that regions lure people into the military with money, even at the expense of their own budgets, the Center for Countering Disinformation said.
As a result of funding shortages, Russian regions are being forced to cut spending on:
- social programs;
- education and healthcare development;
- infrastructure repairs.
According to the Center for Countering Disinformation, Russia will ultimately pay a heavy price for this policy. The center argues that it is driving the collapse of regional economies while accelerating a demographic crisis with irreversible consequences.
Earlier, Armenia reported a sharp increase in demand for housing rentals and purchases among Russian citizens, resembling the wave of emigration that followed Russia's announcement of a partial mobilization in 2022.
On July 27, Russian officials once again declared military spending the country's top budget priority, while acknowledging that funding remains insufficient.
