Russian Siberian region raises bounty for recruiting foreign fighters

In Irkutsk Oblast, Governor Igor Kobzev approved a new decree that raises the compensation paid to people who secure contracts with the defence ministry for foreign nationals or stateless individuals. The same decree also doubles the payment for recruiters who bring in Russian citizens from elsewhere. The region has been offering recruitment bonuses since April, and the previous top payout for foreign enlistments was considerably lower.

Other regions, such as Smolensk and Ryazan, have also lifted their recruitment premiums, regardless of the recruit's citizenship. Human-rights activist Sergej Krivenko warned that regional officials are pressuring businesses to fund these bonuses, as no dedicated budget line exists, and cautioned that failure to meet recruitment targets could lead to further mobilisation. Recruitment levels are currently at their lowest point in three years, according to the source.