Russian soldiers in the Kursk region. Photo: Press service of the Russian Ministry of Defence / AP
Russian authorities are increasingly concerned about the rising economic costs of the war in Ukraine, including payments to the military. This is according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its latest report.
Cutting costs and strengthening discipline
On 22 November, the Russian Ministry of Defence proposed a bill that would require Russian military personnel to return the one-time payments they received when signing their contracts if they commit “gross disciplinary violations” or evade their duties.
According to ISW analysts, this decision is aimed at improving discipline among the military, as complaints about poor treatment by the command are increasingly becoming public.
The Kremlin’s concerns about payments
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed concern over the reduction of payments to soldiers who have been wounded at the front. In this context, on 23 November, he signed a law allowing the cancellation of debts to Russian servicemen who took part in the war in Ukraine. The amount of the write-off can reach 10 million rubles (approximately 96,000 USD) if the debt collection starts before December 2024.
Experts believe that this step should encourage citizens with debts to sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence.
The situation with mobilisation
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that a new wave of mobilisation is not currently being discussed, as the recruitment of contract volunteers is going according to plan. However, according to ISW analysts, the Russian authorities continue to make efforts to recruit new military personnel, despite growing scepticism among the population.
Economic pressure, deteriorating conditions for the military, and measures to encourage discipline are indicative of the serious challenges Russia faces in its war against Ukraine. It may also indicate that the Kremlin is looking for ways to cut costs while trying to maintain the combat capability of its army.
