Official Russian government announcements or verified news reports

Russia Offers $19,000 Bonuses for Military Recruits in Moscow Region Amid Shortage

Jul 16, 2024, 08:46 AM

The Russian government has significantly increased financial incentives for new military recruits amid a shortage of volunteers. In the Moscow region, new recruits can now receive a one-off payment of 1,700,000 rubles (approximately $19,000 or £14,000+), a substantial increase from the initial 195,000 rubles ($2,200). This rise in payments reflects the government's efforts to attract more individuals to join the army, particularly for the conflict in Ukraine. The base salary of around $2,400 has proven insufficient, leading to these enhanced bonuses. Regional sign-up bonuses have also reached close to $20,000. The increase in payments highlights the growing difficulty in recruiting soldiers, which may also have inflationary effects and impact the availability of skilled workers in the civilian sector.