Patriotism surge and financial lures fuel Russian military enlistment

After Ukraine's offensive in the Kursk region, there was reportedly a surge of patriotism among men. Recently, twice as many people as before Ukraine's attack have been showing up at a typical military recruitment point in Moscow, according to Russian independent media. "I wouldn't presume the accuracy of the data provided by the independent service. Because for the appropriate effect, the authorities are ready to leak information even to opponents," says Prof. Krzysztof Żęgota.

Many of the pieces of information provided by Russian media or government representatives are part of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war being conducted by the Russian Federation.

The Russian magazine "Vierska" reports that it managed to obtain data from an official at Moscow City Hall on the number of volunteers signing up for military service. In the week preceding the Ukrainian Armed Forces' attack (29 July - 4 August), an average of 97 people a day signed a contract, the service claims.

In the following week (5-11 August), the number was said to have increased to 126 people a day. This increase was reportedly sustained for the next two weeks as media reports of Ukrainian military successes increased. From 19 to 25 August, according to the magazine, 213 people per day signed a contract with the military.

"Half of the arrivals cited the invasion of the Kursk region by the Ukrainian Armed Forces as their reason. For example: 'I always said I would go if my homeland was attacked. They attacked,' said the official, who wished to remain anonymous. Volunteers said they had long planned to sign the contract and felt now was the time to do it."

According to the publication, better financial security for soldiers is not insignificant for volunteers. On 23 July, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced an increase in volunteer bonuses (paid from the local budget). Counting various allowances, a person donning a uniform can expect a one-time payment of approximately £17,800 just for signing the contract. This is equivalent to the two-year earnings of an average skilled worker.

"Recently, Russian authorities have been doing everything to encourage citizens to take up military service rather than forcing them. In particular, certain patriotic fervour concerns state media. They are trying to create a narrative that, in the event of an attack on Russian territory, everyone should already go to the military," comments for WP Prof. Krzysztof Żęgota from the Institute of Political Science at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, who deals with security policy in Russia.

"Not insignificant is also the financial aspect. The money offered is enormous by Russian standards," points out the expert. "I wouldn't presume the accuracy of the data provided by the independent service. Because for the appropriate effect, the authorities are ready to leak information even to opponents," he adds.

Regional Russian officials are introducing various incentive programmes, under which they even pay people who convince their friends to sign a contract with the Ministry of Defence. In such a case, the bonus is approximately £9,700. In addition, Moscow pays the highest compensation to the family of a fallen soldier - the so-called coffin benefit. This amounts to approximately £12,600. The same amount is the "presidential bonus", which Putin established himself.

The Russian authorities do not disclose how much money has been spent on payouts to the families of fallen participants in the invasion of Ukraine. According to estimates by opposition media, the state has to spend hundreds of billions of roubles on coffins.