Several Russian regions are delaying injury payments to servicemen and cutting one-time contract bonuses with the Defence Ministry amid mounting local budget deficits.

In late November, Yakutia suspended payments to soldiers deployed to Russia's all-out war in Ukraine. Ivan Alekseev, Russia's finance chief, said this was the result of budget shortfalls.

Since October, the Samara region has reduced contract payments from 3.6 million roubles (€33,000) to 400,000 (€3,670) — the sharpest drop recorded since early 2025, according to Russian media.

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Mari El cut contractor payments from 3 million roubles (€27,500) to 800,000 (€7,340). New recruits now receive half of that amount from the state plus another 400,000 roubles from the Defe

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