Russia passed a new law that includes provisions for debt forgiveness for recruits who register to go to Ukraine to fight.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law on November 23 a new law that will forgive debts for recruits who volunteered to fight in Ukraine, a Russian government website said.
Russian media reported that the law provides for debt forgiveness of up to 10 million rubles ($95,000) for those who sign contracts with the Defense Ministry to fight in Ukraine for at least a year, starting from December 1.
This law applies to all potential recruits who have been placed under debt collection proceedings.
The move will help Russia ensure more effective recruitment in its nearly three-year war of attrition with Ukraine.
In July, Mr Putin signed a decree to double upfront payments to volunteers fighting in Ukraine.
All Russians who sign a military contract to fight in Ukraine will receive an upfront payment of 400,000 rubles ($4,651). The decree also recommends that regional governments match the payment from their local budgets.
Previously, the figure was 204,000 rubles. After the decree comes into effect, privates participating in special military operations will have a minimum salary of 3.25 million rubles ($31,500) in the first year.
In addition to pay raises, Russians who volunteer to fight in Ukraine receive other privileges, such as reduced monthly interest rates on consumer loans and state guarantees on those loans in case of death.
Thanks in part to these policies, Russia has been able to increase its forces in Ukraine to fight without having to carry out another mobilization like in September 2022.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on November 23 that Russia is not considering any further military mobilization because the country is still relying on a strong pool of volunteers willing to join the army.
Russia has announced a partial mobilization in the fall of 2022, calling up about 300,000 reservists to go to Ukraine to carry out a special military operation.
Despite rumors circulating in recent months about a new mobilization campaign, no announcement has been made while Russian officials have repeatedly insisted that Moscow does not need such measures.
Russian citizens are “very active in signing contracts with the Defense Ministry,” Peskov said.
Volunteers are joining the force in droves, with hundreds signing contracts with the Department of Defense every day, he said.
In July, the Russian Defense Ministry said that more than 190,000 citizens would sign military contracts in 2024 alone, adding that an average of 1,000 people were enlisting every day.
Currently, the minimum annual salary of Russian contract soldiers fighting in Ukraine is three times higher than the average salary in the country.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is facing recruitment challenges due to fatigue from the nearly three-year war. In recent months, Western media have reported on growing manpower shortages in the Ukrainian armed forces.
In April, Mr. Zelensky signed a law lowering the age for male military service from 27 to 25, a move that will give Kiev more options in conscription.
