President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a decree revising compensation for soldiers injured in combat, basing payouts on the severity of their injuries rather than providing a flat payment.
Under the new rules, soldiers with severe injuries will receive 3 million rubles ($30,400), while those with minor injuries will receive 1 million rubles ($10,100). Soldiers with other injuries will be eligible for 100,000 rubles ($1,000).
The decree, which takes effect immediately, adjusts Putin’s initial promise of a flat 3 million ruble payment for all wounded soldiers, made shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
Families of soldiers killed in combat are still eligible for 5 million rubles.
Reports surfaced earlier this month that Russian authorities were considering a revised payment structure for war-related injuries. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov recently called the anticipated changes “a matter of fairness.”
Russian military analyst Kirill Shamiev said the new policy might lead to lower payouts, as doctors could potentially reclassify soldiers’ injuries.
“In fact, servicemen will likely struggle to receive higher payments as doctors can downgrade the severity [of their injuries],” Shamiev wrote on X.
Injured Russian soldiers have previously reported bureaucratic delays in receiving compensation.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.