Russia has taken a controversial step to reduce compensation for soldiers suffering minor injuries in the ongoing war in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin approved an order on Thursday implementing a new three-tier system, which will see payments scaled based on the severity of injuries sustained. While those with the most severe injuries will continue to receive 3 million rubles (nearly $29,000), soldiers with ‘minor’ injuries will receive 1 million rubles (nearly $10,000), and those with ‘other minor injuries’ will be awarded a mere 100,000 rubles ($960). This move has raised eyebrows, with some speculating that it is a cost-cutting measure aimed at bolstering the Russian military’s ability to sustain the war effort.
The decision comes as Russia faces significant challenges in Ukraine. The war has been particularly costly for the Russian military, with reports of heavy casualties and mounting pressure on troop morale. The need for greater manpower has led to increased payments for soldiers deployed to the battlefield, a tactic aimed at boosting recruitment and mobilization. Despite offering generous payments for volunteers, Russia has sought to avoid another nationwide mobilization, which proved disastrous in 2022, prompting a mass exodus of people to neighboring countries.
The decree does not specify how the severity of injuries will be classified, leaving room for potential ambiguity and raising concerns about fairness in compensation. It also fails to disclose the expected financial savings from this measure. The idea of a tiered compensation system was first proposed by Anna Tsivileva, Deputy Defense Minister and distant cousin of Putin, after visiting a Moscow hospital and speaking with soldiers and doctors.
Meanwhile, recent reports from British intelligence highlight the significant human cost of the war for Russia. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Britain’s chief defense staff, stated that the Russian Army suffered a loss of 1,500 dead and injured in October alone, calling it the highest monthly casualty count since the war began in 2022. He further emphasized the enormous pain and suffering inflicted on the Russian population due to Putin’s invasion, estimating that Russia could potentially lose 700,000 people killed or wounded as a result of the conflict.
The Russian government’s decision to reduce compensation for lightly injured soldiers has sparked debate about the country’s war strategy and its impact on troop morale and recruitment. It remains to be seen how this move will ultimately affect the course of the war in Ukraine.
