"Remarkably good, with a substantial salary boost of 2.5 times".
Fresh Take: The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, after months of negotiations, has led to a tentative 30-day ceasefire and a moratorium on attacks on energy infrastructure, both overseen by the United States. However, experts have deemed these agreements mere pretense, as obstacles to a genuine peace treaty are said to be insurmountable.
Curious about the reality on the ground, our team has been investigating the situation in military enlistment offices across Russia. It appears that these assessments are not far from the truth. In numerous cities, there's been an increase in contract signings in March 2025, attributed to a buildup of volunteers waiting to see how their local leaders compete in boosting one-time bonuses for new contracts.
Take, for example, Irkutsk region. In an attempt to attract more recruits, officials there announced a staggering 2.5-fold increase in bonuses for signing contracts, bringing the total one-time payment to an impressive 1 million rubles from the regional budget, along with 400,000 more from the federal budget. Despite this surge in incentives, Irkutsk Oblast still lags behind other regions like Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, where contractors receive a remarkable 2.75 million rubles for joining the ranks.
To get a firsthand account, we reached out to Sergey (name changed) who visited a military enlistment office, only to find himself whisked away for a no-wait examination. The recruiter didn't mention the recent pay raise but handed him two brochures featuring a generous sum. For Sergey, this was more than just money - it was a chance to provide for his family while seemingly avoiding the front lines.
However, Sergey's experience is not unique. Relatives of locals who have been mobilized for over two years have reported a disturbing trend: they've stopped receiving their promised allowances this year. Some soldiers have gone unpaid for three months now, raising concerns about the welfare of these brave individuals.
In an effort to boost recruitment numbers even further, several Russian regions have announced temporary increases in payments. Primorye, for instance, has increased its one-time payment to up to 2.5 million rubles for those signing a contract from April 1, 2025. Analysts suggest these sudden and temporary increases in payments are part of a larger strategy to avoid another mobilization, with Russia continuing to heavily promote military careers through salaries and other benefits.
In an interview with our team, a military enlistment office employee from a city of 35,000 inhabitants revealed a shocking tale. According to her, March saw a record number of volunteers, with many attracted by the region's increased payments to 1 million rubles. Simultaneously, the city reported an unprecedented number of deaths, far surpassing the losses experienced during the previous months.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues to unfold, it seems that Russia is pulling out all the stops to bolster its military forces. From aggressive recruitment strategies and incentives, to leveraging migrant populations, it's clear that this is a conflict that impacts us all, and we'll continue to bring you the facts as they emerge. Stay informed by following our YouTube, Instagram, and Telegram channels.
Financing and business strategies are being utilized by Russian authorities, as they offer significant one-time bonuses to attract more volunteers for their military, demonstrating an increase in these payments in various regions during the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, politics and general news sources have reported cases where promised allowances have been withheld from mobilized soldiers, leading to concerns about their welfare.
