KYIV, Ukraine — Russian President Vladimir Putin has enacted a significant law that offers debt relief to individuals who enlist as new recruits in the armed forces tasked with fighting in Ukraine. This legislative move reflects the urgent demand within Russia for military personnel amid a protracted and escalating conflict that has persisted for nearly three years, despite the recent testing of a new intermediate-range ballistic missile by Russia last week.
As detailed on a government website on Saturday, the new legislation stipulates that individuals who commit to a one-year military contract will be permitted to erase outstanding debts amounting up to 10 million rubles (approximately $96,000 USD). This financial reprieve applies to debts that had been subject to a court collection order, as well as enforcement actions initiated prior to December 1, 2024, and it further extends this benefit to the spouses of those who enlist.
To stimulate military recruitment, Russia has progressively enhanced financial incentives, offering compensation that can significantly exceed the average monthly salary for volunteer soldiers willing to join the fight in Ukraine. This tactic has successfully augmented troop numbers in active conflict zones while strategically avoiding the implementation of a new mass mobilization order. Previous attempts at “partial mobilization” in September 2022 resulted in a substantial wave of emigration, with thousands of Russian men leaving the country to escape potential conscription.
In light of the ongoing and intense war, which has severely strained Russian military resources, President Putin called for an augmentation of troop levels by 180,000 personnel in September. Adding to Russia’s growing military capabilities, recent reports from U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian officials indicate that North Korea dispatched over 10,000 troops to Russia in October. These forces have reportedly begun to participate in combat, thus placing additional strain on Ukraine’s already fatigued and stretched military forces.
Coinciding with this recruitment drive is the launch of a new experimental ballistic missile aimed at Ukraine on Thursday. Putin characterized this missile deployment as a direct response to Kyiv’s utilization of advanced American and British missiles that pose a threat to deeper Russian targets. The Ukrainian Security Service showcased remnants of this experimental missile, which recently hit a factory located in the central city of Dnipro. According to reports, the missile, named Oreshnik—meaning “hazel tree” in Russian and identified by the Pentagon as related to the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile—is under evaluation, and no analysis of its fragments has been conducted as of yet.
The debris left behind from this advanced weapon included scorched, tangled wires alongside an ashes-laden airframe, comparable in size to a large snow tire. An expert from Ukraine’s Security Service, who provided insights under the condition of anonymity, remarked, “It should be noted that this is the first time that the remains of such a missile have been discovered on the territory of Ukraine.” Furthermore, the missile is believed to have launched from Russia’s Kapustin Yar missile test range and traveled for approximately 15 minutes before striking Dnipro, carrying six warheads, each equipped with six submunitions, all while achieving a peak speed of 11 Mach.
In response to these aggressive military actions, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s prospective national security adviser, Mike Waltz, stated on Sunday that the incoming administration is focused on fostering dialogue and apprehensive about further escalation of tensions. Waltz emphasized his recent discussions with Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, as part of an effort to align U.S. policy and considerations surrounding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The congressman expressed commitment to ensuring unity in U.S. policy, declaring, “For our adversaries out there that think this is a time of opportunity, that they can play one administration off the other, they’re wrong. We are hand in glove. We are one team with the United States in this transition.”
Additionally, Waltz indicated support for Biden’s decision to supply antipersonnel mines for Ukrainian forces, describing it as a necessary step toward stabilizing front lines and curbing Russian advancements. He stressed Trump’s intention to seek a swift conclusion to the conflict but sidestepped any discussion on potential terms for conflict resolution once he assumes office.
Waltz conveyed, “The president-elect has been very concerned about the escalation and where it’s all going. We need to bring this to a responsible end. We need to restore deterrence, restore peace and get ahead of this escalation ladder, rather than responding to it.”
In other developments:
— In an aggressive maneuver, Moscow dispatched 73 drones into Ukraine overnight on Sunday. Ukrainian air force officials reported the successful destruction of 50 drones and the loss of four, believed to be due to electronic jamming efforts.
— Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed that over the past week, Russian forces had unleashed a barrage of more than 800 guided aerial bombs, approximately 460 attack drones, and over 20 missiles on Ukrainian territory.
— The Russian Defense Ministry reported that 34 Ukrainian drones were downed overnight in multiple regions across western Russia, including Kursk, Lipetsk, Belgorod, and one over the Oryol region.
How does Putin’s new recruitment law, which offers debt relief to enlistees, reflect the pressures facing the Russian military amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine?
**Interview with Military Analyst Dr. Anna Sokolov on Putin’s New Recruitment Law and Missile Test**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Sokolov, thank you for joining us today. We’ve seen significant moves by President Putin regarding military recruitment, particularly the new law offering debt relief to enlistees. Can you explain how this initiative reflects the current state of the military situation in Russia?
**Dr. Sokolov:** Thank you for having me. The new legislation is a clear indication of the dire need for military personnel in Russia as the conflict in Ukraine drags on. By allowing recruits to erase debts of up to 10 million rubles, the Kremlin is trying to entice individuals into joining the military at a time when traditional conscription measures seem politically risky due to the backlash they caused in 2022. Instead of a new mass mobilization, which triggered a significant emigration of men, Putin is opting for financial incentives to boost recruitment. This strategy seeks to stabilize troop numbers without generating widespread dissent among the population [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62705001)].
**Interviewer:** The law also extends benefits to spouses of the recruits. What might this say about the demographic or social strategy behind such a recruitment drive?
**Dr. Sokolov:** That’s an important detail. By extending financial benefits to the families of potential recruits, the government is not just targeting the individuals but also appealing to their families. This comprehensive approach can alleviate concerns that spouses may have about enlisting, thereby increasing the likelihood of individuals signing on. It also reflects a strategy to create a more supportive environment for military service, aiming to mitigate the emotional and economic burdens that recruitment could place on families during such a prolonged conflict [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62705001)].
**Interviewer:** Alongside these recruitment efforts, there was also a recent missile test. Can you connect this event to the broader military strategy of Russia at this time?
**Dr. Sokolov:** Absolutely. The missile test, particularly of the experimental Oreshnik missile, signals that Russia is actively enhancing its military capabilities while simultaneously trying to replenish its ground forces. The timing suggests a dual strategy: to intimidate Ukraine and reinforce their military technology while also shoring up personnel through incentives. The test reinforces Putin’s narrative that Russia is prepared to escalate military actions in response to what he sees as external threats, including Western aid to Ukraine. This push is part of a broader effort to demonstrate military might to both domestic and international audiences [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62705001)].
**Interviewer:** how do you see these developments impacting the ongoing conflict in Ukraine?
**Dr. Sokolov:** These developments have significant implications. On one hand, the recruitment incentives could lead to an increase in Russian forces in Ukraine, further stretching Ukrainian defenses, which are already under considerable strain. On the other hand, the circumstances surrounding the recruitment drive—such as the economic hardships that compel individuals to enlist—might also lead to diminishing morale among troops, especially if they feel they are being forced into service due to poor economic conditions. The overall escalation, including missile tests and increased troop levels, suggests that we can expect continued intensity in the conflict, potentially leading to further destabilization in the region [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62705001)].
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Sokolov, for your insights on these critical issues.
**Dr. Sokolov:** Thank you for having me, it’s a pleasure to discuss these important developments.