Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing debt relief for newly enlisted participants in the war in Ukraine and their families.
The measure is part of Moscow’s broader efforts to boost military recruitment as the conflict enters its fourth year. Under the new decree, soldiers who signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense after May 1, along with their spouses, may have debts of up to 10 million rubles (around €120,000) written off, provided enforcement proceedings to collect those debts had already begun before that date.
The contract for participation in what the Kremlin calls the “special military operation” must be for a minimum term of one year.
The amount eligible for cancellation is roughly equal to the price of a small 35-square-meter apartment in Moscow, highlighting the scale of the financial incentive offered by the policy.
The new initiative adds to existing benefits for military personnel, including large signing bonuses and preferential access to higher education.
