Russia, Conscripts from Dongwon Massively Refuse Combat: "Give Us the Promised Pay"

Over 4 Million Won Incentive Not Received, Collective Strike
Military Morale Continues to Decline... Difficult to Maintain Frontline

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Some soldiers conscripted under the Russian government's partial mobilization order reportedly staged a collective strike at a training camp, claiming they did not receive the incentive payments promised by President Vladimir Putin. As prolonged sanctions against Russia worsen the government's finances, the number of soldiers refusing to fight is increasing, making it more difficult to maintain the front lines.

On the 7th (local time), according to The Insider, an independent Russian media outlet, over 100 reserve soldiers conscripted under the partial mobilization order at a training camp in Ulyanovsk, southern Russia, collectively refused to participate in combat and went on strike. They issued a statement saying, "We are risking our lives for the safety and peace of Russia," and "We will continue to make legitimate demands until we receive the salaries promised by the government."

Earlier, on the 2nd, they confronted their commanders and declared that they would refuse to fight unless the promised salaries were sent to their families first. Videos of their protest scenes spread across Russia via social media, sparking controversy. They are demanding that the government send the families the lump-sum incentive payment of 195,000 rubles (approximately 4.46 million won) promised by President Putin, as well as the 300,000 rubles initially agreed upon before enlistment.

President Putin instructed at a cabinet meeting on the 3rd that reserve and contract soldiers (mercenaries) be immediately paid the 195,000 ruble incentive, but it is reported that this has not been properly implemented in frontline units. Currently, the minimum wage for soldiers conscripted under the mobilization order and contract soldiers is 160,000 rubles per month, which is about two to three times the average wage nationwide in Russia.

However, given the severe economic downturn caused by sanctions against Russia, it is expected to be very difficult for the Russian government to make these payments to soldiers promptly. According to major foreign media including AFP, the total amount for six months' salaries and allowances for the 300,000 reserve soldiers conscripted under the partial mobilization order is estimated to be between 900 billion rubles and 3 trillion rubles (approximately 20 trillion to 45 trillion won).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.