Russia offers debt relief to recruit more soldiers for war in Ukraine
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin (photo: Getty Images)
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has allowed participants in the war against Ukraine and their families not to repay overdue loans. However, there is one important condition to qualify for this category, The Moscow Times reports.
As the publication writes, Putin signed a decree exempting participants in the so-called special military operation and their family members from the need to repay overdue loans.
However, the document applies only to those who decided to sign a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry starting from May 1, 2026, and for a term of at least one year. In addition, the debts of such "military personnel" and their spouses must not exceed 10 million rubles.
Another nuance is that the write-off will only be possible for loans taken before signing the contract with the Russian Defense Ministry, as well as in cases where a court decision on debt collection has already entered into force or an enforcement document has been issued or presented.
What happened before
The Moscow Times notes that Putin first allowed Russian forces and their families not to repay overdue loans in November 2024. At that time, the decree applied on the condition that the loan had been taken before December 1 of the same year.
"In the event of the death of a serviceman at the front or due to mutilation, injury, trauma, or concussion, as well as if he receives a Group I disability, all credit obligations of his family members are subject to termination — regardless of when exactly he was drafted or signed the contract," the publication added.
Mobilization in Russia
According to the same publication, Russians are increasingly being issued "mobilization orders" during summons to military enlistment offices. They specify where and when a person must appear and what to bring in the event mobilization is announced.
According to one military commissar, Russian enlistment offices operate on orders, check everyone, and add to the group those who may be useful to the Russian army. He called it "preparation for general mobilization and selection of candidates."
By the way, a few weeks ago, Deputy Head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, Pavlo Palisa, stated that the Office does not rule out a scenario in which Putin could announce mobilization after the State Duma elections scheduled for September.
