“Let the Drone Hit It”: Russians Gamble Cars for War Payouts

Gladkov didn’t mince words: this kind of manipulation is illegal.

The governor of Russia’s Belgorod region claims some locals are deliberately leaving their cars in the open, hoping Ukrainian drones will strike them.

The motivation was allegedly to claim government compensation for damaged property.

“Let Them Bomb It It’s Just an Old Car”

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov shared examples of what he described as “bizarre and troubling behavior.”

At a recent local government meeting, he cited conversations where residents allegedly say things like:

“Our village is being bombed, let’s get the car out of the garage. Maybe they’ll bomb it and we’ll get some money.”

Cars Sacrificed for State Payouts

According to Gladkov, the targets are often older vehicles, no longer worth much, and unsellable.

In these cases, residents seem to be betting on damage from Ukrainian attacks to qualify for compensation from regional authorities.

Warnings of Criminal Consequences

Gladkov didn’t mince words: this kind of manipulation is illegal.

He reminded citizens that fraudulent claims for war-related aid are a criminal offense under Russian law.

He instructed local officials to go door-to-door urging people to keep their cars inside garages during air raid threats.

A Pattern of Opportunistic Behavior?

The car incidents are only part of a larger trend, Gladkov warned.

He also claimed that some communities are organizing to demand relocation aid, without legitimate reasons.

These groups, he said, are being driven by residents eager to upgrade their housing situation under the guise of fleeing conflict.

“The War Will End, and We’ll Still Be in These Old Houses”

Posts on social media suggest that some locals see the war as an opportunity to secure better living conditions. According to Gladkov, people are saying:

“Let’s ask for relocation, or the war will end and we’ll still be stuck in these old houses.”

He insists such requests are often unjustified.

Officials Urged to Dissuade Fraud

The governor called on his administrative team to push back against what he views as a growing wave of exploitation.

During home visits, they’ve been tasked with explaining the legal and ethical boundaries of state assistance, especially in wartime.

A Plea for Integrity Amid Chaos

“Our goal isn’t to improve people’s material situations, at least not like this,” Gladkov said.

“We’re trying to support citizens facing a difficult reality, but fraudulent behavior is becoming more common.”