Anna Hartz
Higher salaries, bonuses, and social benefits have all been used to attract recruits.
War has changed daily life for many people in Russia. The Kremlin has spent years trying to find enough soldiers for the fighting in Ukraine. Now the Russian government is offering something else that could matter even more to struggling families. Debt relief.
Recruitment tactic
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law that cancels large debts for people who agree to fight in Ukraine, reports Digi24. The measure is part of Moscow’s latest effort to bring more recruits into the army as the war continues and military costs keep growing.
Under the new law, Russians who sign military contracts starting from May 1, 2026 can have debts of up to 10 million rubles wiped out. That amount equals roughly 120,000 euros. The debt cancellation only applies to people who already had official debt collection procedures opened against them before joining the army.
The law also allows the debts of a recruit’s spouse to be canceled in some cases. Russian officials say the military contract must last at least one year. It must also include participation in what the Kremlin still calls a “special military operation,” the official term Russia uses for the war in Ukraine.
Many other benefits
The Kremlin has spent years trying to attract volunteers without launching another large wave of forced mobilization. Military service now offers some of the highest salaries available in many poorer Russian regions. Recruits are also promised housing support, bonuses, medical care, and benefits for their families.
For many people dealing with serious financial problems, the new debt cancellation program could become another reason to enlist. Critics, however, say the government is using economic pressure to push vulnerable citizens toward the battlefield.
Russia’s economy has come under heavy strain since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Military spending has sharply increased while many civilian sectors face cuts and slower growth. The government has also tried to create new career opportunities for soldiers returning from the front.
The new law shows how far the Kremlin is willing to go to keep filling the ranks of its army as the war drags on with no clear end in sight.
