The Irkutsk region has increased payments for recruiters who sign foreign nationals to Russian military contracts, marking a significant rise in regional recruitment incentives.
Key facts
- •Recruiters in Irkutsk now receive 1.5 million rubles ($17,800) for each foreign national enlisted.
- •The commission for recruiting Russian citizens from other regions has been raised to 800,000 rubles ($9,500).
- •Amnesty International stated that recruitment practices may involve human trafficking, coercion, and lack of informed consent.
- •Ukraine identified more than 28,000 foreign fighters on the Russian side as of April 2026.
- •The Smolensk region also recently increased its recruiter payouts to 1 million rubles ($11,900).
The Irkutsk region in Siberia has introduced a record-high commission for recruiters who successfully enlist foreign nationals and stateless persons into the Russian military. A directive signed by the regional governor on Thursday sets the payment at 1.5 million rubles, or approximately $17,800, per contract.
By the numbers
Incentive Increases and Regional Trends
The new commission represents a fourfold increase over the previous seven-month period, making Irkutsk the highest-paying region for foreign enlistment incentives. The directive also doubles the commission for recruiting Russian citizens from other regions to 800,000 rubles, or about $9,500. Other regions, including Smolensk and Ryazan, have also recently increased their recruiter payouts to meet military quotas.
Reports on Recruitment Practices
Amnesty International reported on Thursday that Russian recruitment efforts often involve deceptive and coercive practices, including the confiscation of passports and contracts signed without informed consent. As of April 2026, Ukraine estimated that over 28,000 foreign nationals from 136 countries had fought on the Russian side.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Moscow Times.
