“According to a study by the publication “Important Histories”, 11 Russian regions spent at least 2.03 billion rubles from their budgets on payments to recruiters who recruit people for the war”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
In general, by October 2025, every third Russian region has introduced payments for “facilitating the involvement of citizens in concluding a contract for military service,” the publication notes. Only 11 of them explicitly listed recruitment incentive costs in their budget expenditures. Others did not disclose this data.
Thus, as “Important Histories” notes, two billion rubles is the minimum estimate of the expenditures of the authorities of the regions of the Russian Federation on recruiters. The real level of these costs is unknown.
Six of the 11 regions that reported such expenses had to use funds from reserve funds, according to the study. Such funds collect money for emergencies. For example, to eliminate the consequences of emergencies and natural disasters.
In addition, “Important Histories” notes, the amount of payments to those who recruit people for the war has approached the costs of the regions for education, medicine and social support.
Saratov Oblast became the leader in terms of the amount of budget funds spent on payments to recruiters. The regional government spent 400 million rubles from its reserve fund. A comparable amount in 2025 was directed to the construction of multi-apartment buildings under the emergency housing resettlement program, “Important Histories” notes.
In the Ulyanovsk region, almost 373 million rubles were paid to recruiters. The regional government spends the same amount on monthly payments to teachers who live in the villages.
In the Tver region, 352 million rubles were spent on payments to recruiters. A comparable amount in 2025 from the region’s budget was spent on the repair and construction of water pipelines and sewers.
In the Ivanovo region, 330 million rubles were spent on attracting new contractors, which can be compared with budget expenditures for the purchase of medical equipment for regional hospitals.