New Russian military recruits could receive a staggering $22,000 sign-on bonus to reinforce the country’s frontline units in Ukraine.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin issued a new decree to incentivize city residents who voluntarily join the military for at least one year.
The record-high figures are reportedly 22 times the average monthly salary of Russians, based on data released by the Federal State Statistics Service.
In addition to the one-time payment, new recruits will receive 433,000 rubles ($5,000) every month for their first year of service, on top of bonuses and wages given by the Russian Defense Ministry.
In total, the city of Moscow would spend up to 7 million rubles ($82,000) per year for each resident who serves.
Casualty Compensation
Russia rarely reveals details of its financial assistance or payment plans for soldiers who are injured or die in Ukraine.
But the new Moscow decree claims each new recruit could receive up to 939,000 rubles ($11,000) if they are severely wounded in battle.
Families of new soldiers killed in action will also receive 2.9 million rubles ($34,000) in compensation.
Russia is reportedly suffering a high number of casualties in Ukraine, with the UK Ministry of Defence estimating it reached half a million last month.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 31 May 2024.
Find out more about Defence Intelligence’s use of language: https://t.co/YKHA9tWEzu #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/3dR2JmVWsL
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) May 31, 2024
A Desperate Move?
In October 2022, Moscow mobilized around 300,000 reservists to fight in Ukraine.
The move caused widespread protests and prompted many military-age men to flee the country.
To avoid repeating the unpopular initiative, the Russian government has since relied on cash incentives to entice citizens to reinforce the front line.
Earlier this year, the military was reported to have been ramping up its recruitment of African mercenaries, offering a monthly allowance of $2,200 and Russian passports for their families.
