The governor of Russia’s Yaroslavl Oblast, Mikhail Yevraev,
has announced a new initiative under which 100,000 rubles (approximately
$1,150) will be given to anyone who “brings a friend” to the military
enlistment office if they sign a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry to
serve in the military.
A similar initiative was reportedly launched in Tatarstan on
July 11.
Yuri Sinelshchikov, deputy head of the State Duma Committee
on State Construction and Legislation, claimed that the new conscription
mechanism is risky and that Russian citizens could abuse the system.
Sinelshchikov called for the mechanism to be codified in
Russian regulations and expressed concern about whether regional authorities
would be able to support funding for such initiatives.
Russian opposition outlet Cherta reported that some Russians
sign contracts to earn money to pay off gambling debts.