Russia’s regional governments are dramatically increasing cash bonuses to attract new recruits for the war in Ukraine, signaling waning public willingness to fight.
Several regions, including Tyumen, Voronezh, and Tatarstan, have quadrupled enlistment payments, offering up to 3 million rubles ($36,560) — roughly four times the annual local salary — to those who sign contracts before November.
Analysts say financial incentives have replaced patriotic appeals as Russia struggles with manpower shortages.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that recruitment now “resembles a business model,” relying on money, deception, and coercion rather than ideology.
Russia recruits by offering $73,000 USD for signing a contract, or about 6x the avg. annual wage.
— Chebureki Man (@CheburekiMan) October 4, 2025
Ukraine recruits by sneaking up behind random men and kidnapping them right off the street. pic.twitter.com/2jUPVbQ2gr
Despite Defense Minister Andrey Belousov’s claims that enlistment goals are being met, independent outlet IStories found only 37,900 contracts signed in Q2 2025, less than half the previous year.
Russia has suffered an estimated 1 million casualties since invading Ukraine over three years ago.
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TIPP Staff
