Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law offering debt forgiveness to new recruits who enlist to fight in Ukraine, underscoring the country’s growing demand for military personnel in its nearly three-year-long war.
The legislation, published Saturday on a government website, allows recruits to write off debts of up to 10 million rubles ($96,000) if they sign a one-year contract. The law also extends to the spouses of recruits and applies to debts with court collection orders initiated before December 1, 2024.
A Push to Boost Recruitment
Russia has increasingly relied on financial incentives to replenish its ranks without resorting to another mass mobilization, which in September 2022 triggered an exodus of tens of thousands of men. By offering significantly higher-than-average salaries and now debt forgiveness, the Kremlin seeks to attract more soldiers while minimizing public backlash.
In September, Putin called for an additional 180,000 troops, highlighting the toll the prolonged conflict has taken on Russia’s resources. Meanwhile, U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian officials report that North Korea sent over 10,000 troops to assist Russia in October, with some now actively engaged on the front lines.
Russia’s New Experimental Missile Targets Ukraine
The recruitment drive coincides with an escalation in military aggression, including the firing of a new intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine. Putin stated the missile launch was in response to Kyiv’s use of American and British missiles capable of deeper strikes into Russian territory.
On Thursday, the missile, named Oreshnik—Russian for “hazel tree”—struck a factory in Dnipro, Ukraine. Ukrainian security officials showed remnants of the missile to The Associated Press on Sunday. The missile, based on Russia’s RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile, is capable of carrying conventional or nuclear warheads. Analysts noted this is the first time such a missile has been identified in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate reported that the missile, launched from the Kapustin Yar test range in Russia’s Astrakhan region, traveled 15 minutes before impact. It featured six warheads, each containing six submunitions, and reached speeds of up to 11 Mach.
U.S. Seeks to Mediate Amid Escalation
Amid the escalation, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming national security adviser, Mike Waltz, emphasized a focus on de-escalation. Speaking on “Fox News Sunday,” Waltz revealed ongoing discussions with Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, aimed at coordinating U.S. policy during the transition.
“For our adversaries out there who think they can play one administration against the other, they’re wrong,” Waltz said. He also supported the Biden administration’s decision to send antipersonnel mines to Ukraine, describing them as essential for halting Russian advances. Waltz noted Trump’s desire for a swift resolution to the conflict but avoided specifying terms the incoming administration might propose.
Developments on the Battlefield
- Drone Strikes: Ukraine’s air force reported destroying 50 out of 73 Russian drones launched overnight into Sunday. Four drones were lost, likely due to electronic jamming. Meanwhile, Russia claimed to have shot down 34 Ukrainian drones in its western regions, including Kursk, Lipetsk, and Belgorod.
- Escalated Attacks: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian forces have launched more than 800 guided bombs, 460 drones, and 20 missiles against Ukraine over the past week.
The Human Cost of War
The prolonged conflict continues to strain both nations, with casualties mounting on both sides. Russia’s measures to incentivize enlistment reflect the severe toll on its military, while Ukraine faces growing pressure to counter these escalations. International efforts to mediate remain critical as both countries grapple with the devastating impacts of the war.
