Story perspectives

Putin lifts convict hiring ban, hikes bonuses; Zelensky warns mobilization

8/7/2026

Summary

Putin Lifts Bans

President Vladimir Putin signed a law lifting bans on military contracts for people convicted of minor-to-medium-gravity offenses.
By August 2026, 56 regions offered cash recruitment bonuses up from 31, some up to 1 million rubles per recruit, with Smolensk raising recruiter bonuses to 1 million rubles.
Officials reported a 5-11 % drop in contract sign-ups Jan-Jun 2026, noting activist Sergei Krivenko’s claim that governors pressure businesses to fund the bonuses outside the federal budget.

Summary

Zelenskyy Warns Mobilization

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russian authorities plan to expand mobilization this autumn, citing intelligence services.
The Institute for the Study of War said any new mobilization will depend on President Vladimir Putin’s personal battlefield assessment and Kremlin stability, with timing unclear.
Rental demand in Yerevan, Armenia rose roughly 30%, with 80% of new inquiries coming from Russians recently relocating.

History

Historical Context

After the 1999 Federal Law on Military Service signed by President Boris Yeltsin, Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev oversaw the hiring of 30,000 contract soldiers by 2002—a 150 % increase over 1998 levels. Subsequent reforms, including the 2008 goal of 425,000 professional soldiers, set a precedent for cash incentives. In 2026 President Vladimir Putin and the Defence Ministry revived large-scale recruitment bonuses amid falling volunteer rates.

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Putin Lifts Bans

President Vladimir Putin signed a law lifting bans on military contracts for people convicted of minor-to-medium-gravity offenses.
By August 2026, 56 regions offered cash recruitment bonuses up from 31, some up to 1 million rubles per recruit, with Smolensk raising recruiter bonuses to 1 million rubles.
Officials reported a 5-11 % drop in contract sign-ups Jan-Jun 2026, noting activist Sergei Krivenko’s claim that governors pressure businesses to fund the bonuses outside the federal budget.

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