The new law could inspire some to enlist as Russia looks for ways to recruit more soldiers for the war.
Those who sign up for one year can erase overdue debts of up to 10 million rubles, equivalent to almost 100,000 dollars. The spouse’s debt can also be written off.
As soldiers are killed or wounded in the war against Ukraine, Russia is in dire need of enlisting more soldiers, and Putin would prefer to avoid a general mobilization that would be unpopular.
Already, soldiers who join the war receive high wages, and families receive high compensation if their sons, fathers or husbands are killed. There is also an opening for inmates in prison to enlist, with the promise of having their sentence suspended if they survive.
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