ISW: Kremlin to elevate 50 Ukraine war veterans as mayors and governors in Russia by 2026
Concurrently, Russian regional authorities are significantly increasing one-time payments to military volunteers and contract personnel.
The Kremlin is reportedly planning a significant initiative to increase the number of Russian military veterans from its war in Ukraine holding prominent positions in local and regional governments, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports.
According to Russian sources cited on 7 October, Sergei Kiriyenko, the Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, has promised President Vladimir Putin that at least 50 Russian veterans of the Ukraine war will become mayors and regional governors through the “Time of Heroes” veteran reintegration program by 2026.
Concurrently, Russian regional authorities are intensifying their efforts to financially incentivize contract recruitment to support crypto-mobilization efforts. On 7 October, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the Head of Belgorod Oblast, announced that one-time payments for Russian military volunteers and contract personnel will increase to three million rubles (approximately $31,103) through 31 December 2024.
This significant increase in one-time payments is part of a broader trend among Russian regional authorities. The Kremlin “continues to lean into its struggling voluntary recruitment effort to avoid a potential future wave of partial mobilization,” ISW says.
Related:
- ISW: Kremlin plans to fund crypto-mobilization efforts through 2027
- ISW: Russia centralizes volunteer recruitment amid manpower struggles for Ukraine war
- India rescues 45 citizens lured into Russian army, 50 more await discharge
- UK intel: Russia tightens grip on naturalized citizens with military service requirement
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