Kremlin tightens discipline as economic strain of Ukraine war mounts
According to analysts from the American Institute for the Study of War, Russian authorities are concerned about the escalating economic costs of the conflict in Ukraine and are attempting to impose stricter discipline within their military. Russian soldiers are now obliged to repay the one-time bonuses they received upon signing military contracts if they are found guilty of "gross disciplinary offence."
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia currently does not plan to conduct another mobilisation because Russians are voluntarily signing up to participate in military operations.
In the ISW report, analysts note that Russian authorities are now implementing other measures to promote military service. On Saturday, Vladimir Putin signed a law allowing the cancellation of overdue loans up to £76,500 for men fighting in Ukraine and their wives. This applies to debtors where debt collection proceedings would start by 1 December—if the debtor enlists in the military and signs a contract for at least a year, their debt will be cancelled.
"Russian leader Vladimir Putin signed a law allowing soldiers who served in Ukraine to write off loans of up to 10 million roubles (approximately €92,000) if courts initiate debt collection before 1 December 2024, likely aimed at motivating indebted Russians to join the Ministry of Defense," say analysts from the American institute, highlighting the Kremlin's increasing concern about the financial burden of the war in Ukraine.
"The Russian government remains concerned about the economic cost of continuing to wage war in Ukraine, particularly in compensating Russian soldiers," the report states.
Experts point out that the Russian Ministry of Defence put forward a bill on 22 November, requiring soldiers to repay one-time bonuses received upon signing military contracts if they commit "gross disciplinary offence" or evade military duties.
In this manner, as ISW highlights, Putin aims to instil discipline among soldiers, especially since they continue to "publicly complain about the Russian military command's poor treatment of Russian soldiers."
