Russian men have long been attracted to the war in Ukraine using various methods. With heavy losses at the front, this summer the Ministry of Defense issued a demand for companies to supply employees who could be sent to the front. The interest among the employees turned out to be cold, so the companies themselves began to recruit future soldiers.
Since then, social media has been filled with advertisements for employment at the various companies that can now implement the Ministry of Defense’s requirements.
We called one of the recruiters to find out about the scheme, which involves offering large sums of money to whoever chooses to take up employment instead of directly signing a contract with the defense.
Oligarchs help despite sanctions
The independent Russian news site “Important Stories” has revealed how several of the private companies offering this scheme have direct links to Russian oligarchs. Many of them have also managed to avoid sanctions. While their products continue to be supplied to the West, they replenish the Russian army with new soldiers.
According to “Important stories”, it concerns, among other things, the oligarchs Oleg Deripaskabillionaire Leonid Mikhelson and Putin’s close friend Gennady Timchenko.
Putin does not have to make unpopular decisions
By buying soldiers, Putin hopes to avoid a new mobilization. Something that would be highly unpopular, not least before the upcoming election where Putin is expected to become president of Russia for the fifth time.
To realize Putin’s vision, companies are increasingly making efforts to send more people to the front. In April, for example, a company in Yekaterinburg offered 560,000 rubles to anyone going to Ukraine. Now that sum is up to 710,000 rubles. This corresponds to SEK 85,000. The average salary in Yekaterinburg is 80,000 rubles, which is just under 10,000 kroner.