Southwestern Russias Belgorod region is offering a nationwide record of 3 million rubles ($31,200) in one-time payments for signing military contracts to fight in Ukraine, authoritiessaid Monday.The payment will amount to 3 million rubles from all sources: the federal, regional, municipal budgets and extra-budgetary funds, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said at a regional administration meeting, according to Meduza.
People who volunteer or sign contracts with the Russian Armed Forces between Oct.
7, and the end of the year.Meduza reported this is the biggest sum of money offered to potential recruits amid Russias efforts to increase recruitment numbers without declaring another unpopular mobilization drive.It overtakes the Khanty-Mansi autonomous district, which offers a combined payment of 2.75 million rubles ($28,600) to new soldiers.The record-setting payouts will be granted to anyone from any Russian region who enlists physically in the Belgorod region regardless of their birthplace, the news outlet Open Belgorodcited Gladkov as saying.Experts say the rising payments for soldiers reflect Russias ongoing manpower crisis as civilians interest in going to war dwindles.