Authorities in the city of Moscow are offering a record signing-on bonus for new recruits to fight in Ukraine, as part of efforts to boost Russian troop numbers amidst the ongoing conflict. The financial incentive, introduced by Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, includes a one-time signing bonus of 1.9 million rubles (about $22,000) for city residents who join the military.
Recruits could potentially earn up to 5.2 million rubles ($59,600) in their first year of service, in addition to one-time cash payments ranging from $5,690 to $11,390 for injuries sustained during combat. The family of a soldier killed in action could receive $34,150 in compensation.
Estimates suggest that Russia has faced significant casualties, with more than 70,000 soldiers likely killed or wounded in recent months. The Russian army has reportedly lost a substantial portion of its active-duty ground troops and tanks since the invasion of Ukraine began.
Social media has been inundated with footage showing Russian troops facing heavy losses in battles against Ukrainian defenders, with soldiers describing the conflicts as 'meat grinder' scenarios. The Kremlin has been actively seeking to bolster troop numbers, with President Vladimir Putin ordering a 15% increase in the size of the Russian army, marking the second expansion since the invasion commenced.
Efforts to mobilize citizens for military service have faced challenges, leading to demonstrations and an exodus of military-age men fleeing the country to avoid conscription. Despite a temporary suspension of the mobilization campaign, Russia has resorted to recruiting fighters from other countries, including as many as 15,000 Nepalis, to participate in the conflict in Ukraine.
Foreign recruits from various nationalities, such as Afghan, Indian, Congolese, and Egyptian, have reportedly undergone training in Russia's military academies for deployment in Ukraine. The recruitment of international fighters underscores the Kremlin's ongoing struggle to maintain sufficient troop levels for its military operations.
