Russia remains concerned about the economic costs of its ongoing war in Ukraine, specifically when it comes to compensating Russian soldiers. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has highlighted this concern in a recent report. According to the report, the Russian Defense Ministry has proposed a draft law that would require soldiers to return their one-time payments if they commit a “gross disciplinary offense” or avoid military duties. It is believed that this move is intended to improve discipline among Russian military personnel, as complaints about poor treatment from the military command have been increasing. Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed worry about the long-term economic stability of the country, leading to a decrease in payments for soldiers injured in battle.
Despite these concerns, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has stated that there are no current discussions about a second round of mobilization. Russia is reportedly recruiting enough contract volunteer personnel at the moment. Efforts to incentivize further recruitment of contract volunteers are also ongoing. In an attempt to encourage Russians with existing debt to sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense, Putin signed a law allowing soldiers who fought in Ukraine to write off loans up to 10 million rubles (about $95,869) if debt collection proceedings are initiated before December 1, 2024.
In conclusion, Russia is grappling with the economic consequences of its war in Ukraine. The government is concerned about the financial burden of compensating soldiers and is taking steps to improve discipline among military personnel. President Putin’s worries about long-term economic stability have also led to a decrease in payments for injured soldiers. Efforts to recruit contract volunteers continue, with measures in place to incentivize signing contracts, such as loan write-offs. The future of Russia’s economy remains uncertain as the war in Ukraine continues to have a detrimental impact.