With the war against Ukraine still raging on, the Moscow city government is offering substantial financial incentives to residents who enlist to serve in the Army. According to the mayor’s office, new enlistees will receive an initial payment of 1.9 million roubles (Rs 18,00,000), with total first-year compensation reaching 5.2 million roubles (~Rs 50,00,000).
With this increase, the annual income for Moscow’s contract soldiers will be more than five times the country’s average nominal wage, based on data from early 2024.These generous financial incentives have allowed Russia to avoid another nationwide mobilization, which previously led to many citizens fleeing to neighboring countries.
However, some economists caution that these high payments could potentially disrupt the economy. They suggest that the substantial wages for soldiers in Ukraine might establish a new benchmark, leading to wage inflation as workers in other sectors demand higher pay to match military salaries.
Russian authorities report that around 190,000 individuals have volunteered to serve in Ukraine this year, part of what Moscow calls a “special military operation.” This compares to 490,000 contracts signed in 2023.
This pay package includes the initial bonus, salaries from the ministry of defence, and additional regional and federal benefits. The new payment structure is effective immediately, as announced by Mayor Sergei Sobyanin’s office.
Despite being home to a large portion of Russia’s educated workforce, Moscow has lagged behind other regions in the proportion of its population volunteering for the army. Although specific data on Moscow’s volunteers is unavailable, city officials estimate that as of June 13, about 45,000 Muscovites were serving in Ukraine.
With this increase, the annual income for Moscow’s contract soldiers will be more than five times the country’s average nominal wage, based on data from early 2024.These generous financial incentives have allowed Russia to avoid another nationwide mobilization, which previously led to many citizens fleeing to neighboring countries.
However, some economists caution that these high payments could potentially disrupt the economy. They suggest that the substantial wages for soldiers in Ukraine might establish a new benchmark, leading to wage inflation as workers in other sectors demand higher pay to match military salaries.
Russian authorities report that around 190,000 individuals have volunteered to serve in Ukraine this year, part of what Moscow calls a “special military operation.” This compares to 490,000 contracts signed in 2023.
This pay package includes the initial bonus, salaries from the ministry of defence, and additional regional and federal benefits. The new payment structure is effective immediately, as announced by Mayor Sergei Sobyanin’s office.
Despite being home to a large portion of Russia’s educated workforce, Moscow has lagged behind other regions in the proportion of its population volunteering for the army. Although specific data on Moscow’s volunteers is unavailable, city officials estimate that as of June 13, about 45,000 Muscovites were serving in Ukraine.