President Vladimir Putin has ordered a new signing-on bonus of 400,000 rubles ($4,600) for new recruits to fight in Ukraine, as a way to boost Russian troop numbers amidst increasing battlefield losses. The presidential decree, published on Wednesday, promises the lump sum to anyone signing a military contract for a minimum of one year from August 1 until the end of 2024. This new bonus is more than double the amount initially promised to recruits in September 2022. Additionally, the decree recommends that regional governors offer an additional 400,000 rubles to residents in their regions who join the military, with the aim of providing greater social support for soldiers and their families.
The minimum monthly salary for contract soldiers in Russia is currently 210,000 rubles ($2,407), which is significantly higher than the average income of 73,000 rubles ($837) per month. These lucrative payments can attract working-class men in economically distressed communities to join the military. Regional governments also provide various bonuses and incentives to army recruits, such as free childcare and travel for soldiers’ families. This increase in military payments and benefits reflects Russia’s struggle with a manpower crisis as interest in the ongoing war in Ukraine diminishes, now entering its third year.
Despite conscripting around 300,000 reservists in September 2022, the Kremlin has been hesitant to launch a full-scale mobilization campaign due to the unpopularity of such a move. Russia has kept casualty numbers from the war in Ukraine a closely guarded secret, but independent estimates suggest that around 120,000 Russian soldiers may have been killed since the invasion began. As a result, the government is offering higher payments and benefits to soldiers to attract and retain recruits, especially as the war continues to progress.
Efforts by regional governments throughout Russia to increase financial incentives for new military recruits are part of a broader strategy to address the country’s manpower crisis. The additional measures of social support, such as the signing-on bonus and other benefits, are meant to encourage more individuals to join the military and support the ongoing efforts in Ukraine. These steps are crucial as Russia faces challenges in maintaining troop numbers and morale amidst growing battlefield losses and a war that shows no signs of resolution in the near future.
The move to increase payments and benefits for soldiers reflects the Russian government’s attempts to address the ongoing manpower crisis and bolster troop numbers in the face of growing losses in the war in Ukraine. By providing financial incentives and additional support to military recruits and their families, the government hopes to attract more individuals to join the military and support its operations in Ukraine. As the conflict enters its third year, Russia is facing challenges in maintaining troop levels and morale, prompting the need for increased efforts to recruit and retain soldiers in the armed forces.
In conclusion, President Putin’s decision to offer a significant signing-on bonus for new military recruits in response to losses in Ukraine is a clear indication of the country’s struggle with a manpower crisis. By providing higher payments and additional benefits, regional governments aim to attract more individuals to join the military and support ongoing operations. However, the challenges facing Russia in maintaining troop levels and morale underscore the complexity of the situation, as the war in Ukraine continues with no clear end in sight.
