$650 per kilometer: Russia offers incentives to recruits ready to join assault units and advance frontline in Ukraine

The Russian military is offering sign-up incentives to those willing to join as contract servicemen. Over the last week, contract service was advertised all across the local media and city websites around Russia.

An active campaign to promote contract service has been launched in the Yaroslavl region, where towns, villages, and districts have posted recruitment calls on social media. Those who sign a contract to go and fight in Ukraine are eligible for a sign-up bonus of 295,000 rubles (about $3,800) and a monthly salary of 200,000 rubles (or $2,600), comparable to what a Russian doctor or software developer might make. Further bonuses are offered for “active participation in assault operations.” Advancing the Russian frontline is said to be rewarded by 50,000 rubles ($650) per kilometer.

The city authorities in Novosibirsk have asked apartment building managers to post similar advertisements on community notice boards. The mayor’s office has also invited local schools to post information about contract service on their websites.

Similar campaigns are taking place in Pyatigorsk, Kursk, and other Russian cities.

Earlier, Baza wrote that contract soldiers would be actively recruited throughout the Moscow region, starting March 21.