According to a new law, anyone who reports to Russia to serve in the war in Ukraine will benefit from debt relief of up to ten million rubles (about 92,000 euros).
The Russian army is struggling to recruit new soldiers in the conflict, which has been going on for almost three years, and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin signed a corresponding law on Saturday, the government announced. This exempts anyone who signs a one-year contract for deployment in the military after December 1 from existing debts.
Those for whom a call-up order was issued before December 1 can benefit. Parliament had already approved the law on Tuesday.
Young Russians often have debts
The new scheme is primarily aimed at younger Russians of military age, as they are more likely to have debt. In Russia, interest rates on loans are extremely high and many Russians have virtually no savings. Most people take on debt to buy houses. According to a report from the Central Bank, more than 13 million Russians have taken out three or more loans.
The new arrangement applies to those drafted into national military service, as well as fighters mobilized for the so-called special military operation in Ukraine, activist Sergei Krivenko explained. Until now, there was only the option to postpone the repayment.
Conscripts are ‘motivated’ to join the professional army
Although conscripts cannot be sent to the front, they can sign a contract to join the professional army and then fight in Ukraine.
Russian authorities are “strengthening the motivation” to sign such a contract, political scientist Georgi Bowt wrote on the online service Telegram. The new law offers hundreds of thousands of people the opportunity to relieve their credit burden, Bowt emphasizes.
Russian soldiers serving at the front are already paid well above average. Ukraine also has laws that allow soldiers to receive preferential loans and, in some cases, debt relief.
Source: Krone
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