Russia proposes reclaiming bonus payments from contract soldiers convicted of crimes
A draft law would require contract servicemen who commit criminal offenses at home to repay part of their one-off bonus, officials said.
Russia's defence ministry is preparing legislation to claw back part of the one-off payment given to contract soldiers who breach the law at home. Under the proposal, any serviceman convicted of a criminal offence that does not result in imprisonment must reimburse a share of the bonus, proportionate to the months left on his contract. The standard bonus is 400,000 roubles, though amounts can rise to several million depending on the region.
The policy aims to boost legal compliance among troops, amid reports of increasing domestic-violence cases as fighters return on leave. Independent outlets, referencing military-court records, have documented hundreds of incidents, including murders, since Russia began its war in Ukraine in February 2022.
Why it matters
It links military compensation to civilian law compliance, highlighting Russia's response to rising abuse by soldiers.
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