Amid the ongoing war with Ukraine, Russia is introducing an extraordinary debt-forgiveness policy to recruit new soldiers.
According to reports from TASS and RIA Novosti, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed legislation on Saturday with the Ministry of Defense to exempt new recruits from debt if they participate in the “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Starting next month, the new law allows recruits who sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense for over a year to have up to 10 million rubles (approximately $100,000) in debts forgiven. This applies to all potential recruits whose debt collection procedures began before December 1.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, Russia is offering substantial financial incentives to boost recruitment without resorting to full mobilization. For instance, Moscow residents who enlist can earn up to 5.2 million rubles (approximately $50,000) in their first year of service.
Meanwhile, Putin also signed a bill prohibiting the promotion of childless lifestyles, part of a broader strategy to address Russia’s declining birth rates. Under this law, movies, advertisements, internet content, and media supporting a childless life or opposing childbirth will be banned in Russia. Such content will be added to a list of prohibited materials, and films containing these themes will be denied distribution permits. Individuals found promoting childless ideologies could face fines of up to 5 million rubles (approximately $48,000).
Furthermore, Putin approved legislation that bans citizens from countries that permit gender transition from adopting or gaining custody of Russian children.
