Russian Conscripts Reportedly Receive Payments for Contracts They Never Signed

Seven conscript soldiers from military unit 31643 in Russia’s Kurgan region have been paid for signing contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense—contracts they claim they never signed, reported Russian “Okno” project on October 23.

One of the soldiers, 20-year-old Kirill Vyunov, who was drafted from Saratov in December 2023, revealed that on October 14, $4,200 (405,000 rubles) were transferred to a bank account in his mother’s name.

According to Vyunov, the money came from the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Protection of Kurgan region, citing a decree related to payments for mobilized personnel or conscripts signing contracts with the defense ministry.

However, Vyunov and his fellow soldiers insist they never signed any contracts and have no intention of fighting. Despite their protests, the authorities refuse to reclaim the money.

“Commanders just said they would 'figure it out' but did nothing,” Vyunov said. “Instead of sorting this out, they’re quietly sending us to the border.”

The conscripts suspect they are being covertly sent to the front, believing they will be deployed without their consent unless they publicly protest.

“They’re sending us to Rostov tomorrow, and I understand this is a one-way trip. I never intended to sign a contract, and I don’t plan to! Help us get out of here!”

According to the Russian rights group “Conscript School,” the authorities might be experimenting with “covert conscription” by issuing fake contracts.

Soldiers who unknowingly accept the payments could be treated as contract soldiers, making it easier to send them into combat.

“If the soldiers accept the money and do not report the error, they will be considered to have signed the contract. By the time they realize it, there will be little they can do to reverse it,” the organization told.

Earlier, Russian army started deploying conscripts to Vovchansk, reported Colonel Vitaliy Sarantsev, the spokesman for the operational-tactical group “Kharkiv”.