In the Leningrad Oblast of the Russian Federation, a $2,700 bonus has been introduced for joining mobile firefighting units

In the Leningrad Region of the Russian Federation, cash payments have been introduced to recruit citizens into mobile fire teams that specialize in combating unmanned aerial vehicles. This was announced by the local governor, Alexander Drozdenco.

For signing a contract through the regional military registration and enlistment office, recruits are promised a one-time payment of 250,000 rubles (approximately $2,700), a monthly salary starting at 200,000 rubles ($2,150), as well as a bonus of 100,000 rubles (about $1,080) for each drone destroyed. 

In addition, the contract provides for mandatory life and health insurance for the soldiers in the amount of 2 million rubles (approximately $21,600). Men up to 62 years of age are invited to join the service; they are to be officially enrolled in an organization called the “Department for Civil Protection Measures of the Leningrad Region.”

Russian regional authorities promise volunteers that 100% of their salaries from their primary jobs will be preserved and assert that they will carry out missions exclusively within the Leningrad Region. The main goal of creating these mobile fire teams is said to be the protection of the region’s airspace, critical infrastructure, and the local population from aerial threats amid regular drone attacks.

Source: The Moscow Times.

In Russia, the pace of recruiting new military personnel to fight the war in Ukraine is rapidly declining, which is beginning to trigger a systemic crisis within the country. Despite an aggressive advertising campaign on billboards and social media, promises of fast-track citizenship, and significant financial incentives—including lump-sum payments of up to $80,000 and debt forgiveness of up to $140,000—the number of people willing to sign contracts has dropped significantly.

In Russia, students are being forced to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense — ABC.