Russian Defense Ministry proposes 7.6 percent pay raise for military personnel, outpacing government’s earlier plan

Russia’s Defense Ministry has proposed raising salaries for military personnel by 7.6 percent starting October 1, 2025 — up from the 4.5 percent increase previously approved by the government.

The ministry’s draft proposal would amend a government decree issued on April 9, which had set the multiplier for salary adjustments at 1.045. The new proposal raises it to 1.076.

The original decree also applied to members of the National Guard, Interior Ministry personnel, employees of the Federal Penitentiary Service, firefighters, customs officers, and senior officials in the federal courier service.

A separate proposal from the Defense Ministry would also raise the coefficient used to index insurance payouts, one-time benefits, and compensation payments — from 1.045 to 1.076. According to the draft, the change would apply retroactively to entitlements dating from January 1, 2025.