- Category
- Latest news
Russia Cuts Soldier Sign-Up Bonuses by 75% in Four Regions Amid Recruitment Crisis
- Authors
![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
![Photo of Tetiana Frolova]( "Photo of Tetiana Frolova")
Russian regional authorities have significantly reduced one-time enlistment payments for citizens signing military contracts to fight in Ukraine. The cuts affect the republics of Tatarstan, Chuvashia, Mari El, and the border region of Belgorod.
According to Russian media Kommersant on October 11, the most dramatic drop occurred in Tatarstan, where the bonus was cut from 3.1 million rubles (approx. $31,000) to 800,000 rubles (approx. $8,000)—a nearly fourfold decrease.
In Chuvashia and Mari El, the new contract payment is also 800,000 rubles (approx. $8,000), down from 2.5 million ($25,000) and 3 million rubles ($30,000), respectively. Belgorod, which borders Ukraine and has seen regular shelling and drone attacks, reduced its enlistment bonus from 800,000 ($8,000) to just 500,000 rubles (approx. $5,000).
-ed051fb1853bcb98ed81f53fa31bd834.png)
These changes mark a sharp reversal in the incentive-based recruitment strategy that had previously helped sustain Russia’s military campaign.
The cuts come despite massive financial outlays aimed at supporting the Russian armed forces. Both federal and regional authorities spent over 2 trillion rubles (approx. $20 billion) during the first half of 2025 on recruitment and military support.
Of this, around 400 billion rubles (approx. $4 billion) went toward enlistment bonuses, 865 billion ($8.65 billion) on ongoing salaries, and 765 billion rubles ($7.65 billion) were allocated as compensation to families of soldiers who were killed or injured.
-3fa094f28f9297378f5a47cbe9df100b.jpg)
Still, the strategy appears to be losing traction. According to Important Stories, only 37,900 new contracts were signed between April and June 2025—the lowest quarterly figure in two years. By comparison, 92,800 contracts were signed during the same period in 2024.
The data also shows a broader decline in financial participation. During the first half of 2025, 127,500 individuals received enlistment-related payments—down from 166,200 in the same period the previous year. Analysts suggest this trend points to the waning effectiveness of financial incentives in driving military recruitment as the war in Ukraine drags on.
Earlier, a report by the London-based think tank OpenMinds noted a 40% surge in Russian military recruitment ads during the first half of 2025, with a growing focus on promoting “rear units” and “non-combat” roles as safer alternatives. However, analysts warned these positions often serve as entry points before reassignment to frontline duties.
-6c7b568bf1f65853b7afd9dc1c3ca1fe.jpeg)
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
-7e6c6cc5c10b919bdab603aff07e2c73.png "“Touchstone of the Ukrainian Art Scene”: Nikita Kadan Makes ArtReview’s Power 100 List")
