Russia: Putin’s Order Removes Debts of Recruits to Fight in Ukraine · Global Voices

The war on the ground is in a pivotal phase, preparing a major counterattack in Kursk district and achieving significant victories on Donetsk’s front, while tens of thousands of North Korean soldiers are deployed in support of the Russian army. Russia however has staff shortages in several military units and Moscow is putting into effect a legislative initiative to attract young men to enlist in order to participate in war operations in Ukraine. In this context, Russian president, Vladimir Putin, signed today (23.11.2024) a law on the basis of which the debts of recruits joining the army to fight in Ukraine will be erased, as a Russian government website reports. Russian agencies said the law provides for the deletion of amounts reaching up to 10 million rubles ($95,835) in overdue debts, for those who sign contracts with the defence ministry to fight in Ukraine for at least a year, beginning on 1 December. The law applies to all potential recruits against whom debt recovery procedures have been initiated before 1 December. Russia is trying to recruit more men, offering increasing wages, in some cases multiples of average wages, to those willing to fight in Ukraine. This tactic allowed the military to increase its human resources in the conflict area, while avoiding another round of general conscription, which caused massive exit from Russia in September 2022.