Russians driven to war by financial incentives and state payouts
According to information from the Russian opposition portal Sibir.Realii, there seems to be no shortage of individuals in Russia willing to risk their lives in war, attracted by the substantial sums of money the state offers. The "burial money" alone amounts to 11 million roubles (about CAD 185,000)
"Of course, I am heartbroken about our son. He didn't give us any grandchildren. He was only 24 years old. But now we can finally repair the house and buy a new car," said an anonymous man from the recruitment centre in Iskitim, near Novosibirsk, as reported by Sibir.Realii and quoted by gazeta.pl.
The man was there to receive a death certificate for his son, who had participated in the war in Ukraine. Without it, the family would not be able to receive the significant compensation from the state. The so-called burial payment varies by region and can reach up to 11 million rubles (about 185,000 CAD), which is roughly ten times the average annual salary in Russia.
Russians go to war for money
This is how the Russian state is reportedly encouraging citizens to engage in the war. In a conversation with the portal "Verstka" about recruitment efforts in Moscow, an anonymous employee at a recruitment centre noted that almost everyone who signs a contract for the war does so for the financial incentive.
The mentioned "burial money" is not the only payment Russians can anticipate. High one-time payments are given just for signing the contract. Depending on the region, signing up earns about 900,000 rubles (around 15,000 CAD). Including federal funds, enlisting in the military can bring about 1.3 million rubles (approximately 22,000 CAD).
Russia takes anyone
According to the Sibir.Realii portal, in all four recruitment centres visited by journalists, recruiters indicated that there are no restrictions on admission. Both healthy individuals and older ones, even those who have previously had heart attacks or suffer from mental illnesses, including those who have been in psychiatric facilities, are accepted.
Thanks to this policy, according to calculations by German analyst Janis Kluge, Russia can expect a daily intake of about 600 recruits across a total of 37 regions. According to Janis Kluge, the Kremlin's objective is to sign about 1,440 contracts each day.
