There are billboards on the streets, from which soldiers in modern uniform invitation to join them. In the first half of this year, over 210 1000 Russians signed with the army, which means they decided to fight in Ukraine. In Volgograd, up to 8 million rubles (PLN 351,000) are offered for the first year of service in the military. This is more than 10 times the average yearly wage in this region. There are besides bonuses, kid support, precedence places in kindergartens and universities, preferential mortgages and taxation reliefs. The Kremlin guarantees advanced compensation for injuries, and in the event of the death of the household of fallen soldiers they receive compensation for up to 11 million rubles. Workers and truck drivers in the arms manufacture besides gain well. Wages rose between 2021 and 2024 by 78 percent, while doctors' income was raised by 40%, and oil manufacture employees by 48 percent.
Moscow claims that real disposable income increased by 8.4 percent in the first 4th of this year. The number of people surviving in poorness fell by 2 million, to 8.1 percent of the country's population. Average monthly wage reached 97 1000 rubles (4250 PLN). So it seems that the Russians live better during war. Just how long? 38% of Russians have no savings. Another 24 percent could only last a period or 2 without pay. In principle, each household should have a financial reserve to cover basic needs for six months. Only 7% of citizens are able to save this amount.
In the last 2 decades, the Russians have had to spend about 30% of their income on food. As wages increase, this share should decrease. But that did not happen. In developed countries, the cost of food represents little than 20% of the household budget – in the US or Singapore even little than 7%. A European wage of 97 000 rubles is not stunning. Even Serbia presently has a higher net average salary.
Every 3rd Russian citizen is incapable to buy the essential drugs. The doctors adapted to the situation by prescribing oak bark for cancer or a cough lancetoma. This reminds us of an old russian gag in which doctors recommended rich patients to eat fruit and long walks for mediocre people. The situation of the soldiers has not improved importantly either. They must buy a uniform from their wages and... bribe doctors and commanders. What remains is adequate for a vacation in Sochi or a fewer gifts for the family. The drivers employed in the arms manufacture actually gain better, but they work 14 – 16 hours a day. If they were limited to average work, their wages would fall to 60,000 rubles.
It's the best way to get rich in war. The number of Russian billionaires increased from 100 to 146 in the past year, and most of them increased their fortunes. advanced officials and their entourages are aiding themselves with tremendous proceeds from corruption. any wonder if Putina can afford to proceed the war. Tanks came down from the production line to the very end of the USSR. The Kremlin could afford reinforcements, but empty shelves in stores accelerated the fall of communism. Now a abrupt end to war could lead to a social disaster. Politologist Prof. Władysław Inoziemcew estimated that the fresh mediate class is not taught to save: – They'll spend money in a year or 2 and return to their erstwhile standard of living.. The abrupt return of hundreds of thousands of erstwhile soldiers can lead to large-scale destabilisation in Russia as in Germany after the First planet War, erstwhile disappointed veterans became the base of the Nazi movement.
