Saratov Region Cuts Military Contract Bonus
Southern Russia’s Saratov region has joined other federal subjects in lowering enlistment bonuses for soldiers signing military contracts. One of its most populous districts significantly reduced payments, according to media reports on Wednesday.
Recent Bonus Reductions Across Regions
Last week, Orenburg and Saratov became the fifth and sixth regions to cut military contract bonuses from at least 2 million rubles to the minimum legal level of 400,000 rubles ($5,000). This amount aligns with the minimum suggested by President Vladimir Putin last year for new recruits, with the federal government usually matching the regional payment.
Earlier this year, regions such as Belgorod, Samara, the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous district, and the republic of Bashkortostan reduced bonuses to at least 1 million rubles.
Engels District Further Cuts Bonuses
The news source 7x7 discovered a decree issued by Saratov’s Engels district last week that cut municipal bonuses from 400,000 rubles to 150,000 rubles ($1,850) for soldiers signing contracts starting November. These municipal payments are separate but often supplement regional or federal incentives.
Lack of Public Announcement
While the earlier bonus increases were widely promoted through regional media campaigns, the recent reductions have largely gone unnoticed by the public, only becoming known after the official decrees appeared on government websites.
"The municipal payments are separate from regional payments, but they are sometimes designed to complement or add to what soldiers are already receiving from the regional or federal governments."
Author’s summary: Saratov and other Russian regions have quietly cut enlistment bonuses for military contracts, reversing previous increases and aligning payments with mandated minimums.