On December 19, 2023, President Vladimir Putin addressed concerns over military pay discrepancies for soldiers serving under the official status of 'counter-terrorism operations' (CTO) during his annual "Direct Line" event. This interaction revealed significant grievances from soldiers' wives, who reported their husbands were being unfairly compensated.
During the event, wives of servicemen from Kursk Oblast expressed their concerns about the inequities surrounding military payments. Many of these soldiers, engaged directly on the battlefield, found themselves classified improperly, which led to them receiving inadequate pay. One wife recounted her husband's experiences: "My husband serves in the assault unit and currently receives only 42,000 rubles per month, significantly less than the promised amounts for soldiers on the front lines." It is clear this situation has caused distress and frustration among families.
Putin remarked, "Это наше упущение" (This is our shortcoming), acknowledging the situation as unexpected and indicating it was particularly troubling for military families. According to the president, soldiers deployed to hotspots should receive their designated payments regardless of shifts within operational classifications.
The president assured all servicemen would receive the back payments owed to them, emphasizing, "Все поправим, все получат все, что причитается военнослужащим" (We will fix everything, everyone will receive what is owed to the servicemen). This statement aimed to alleviate anxiety among military personnel and their families, reinforcing the country's commitment to soldiers' welfare.
Military operations have been intense since August 6, 2024, when Ukrainian forces escalated their campaigns against Russian-held territories. Subsequently, the Russian government imposed the CTO regime to safeguard against terrorism and protect national interests. Despite these regulatory measures, servicemen found themselves categorized awkwardly and denied benefits they were entitled to. Reports indicated some soldiers had not received their combat pay for three to four months.
Another poignant account shared during the event highlighted disparities revealed by military contracts. One soldier's wife pointed out, "В Курской области платят денежное довольствие в размере 25 000 руб., а не 210 000 руб., как обещают в контрактах Министерства обороны" (The payments made in Kursk Oblast amount to 25,000 rubles instead of the 210,000 rubles promised by the Ministry of Defense's contracts). This discrepancy has understandably been met with outrage by the families affected.
Putin's response was firm: "Жалко, что и военное ведомство не обратило на это внимание" (It's regrettable the military department hasn't paid attention to this). He highlighted the military's responsibility to care for its personnel, signaling potential reforms to come.
Legislators are also stepping up to bridge these gaps. Yaroslav Nilov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Labor and Social Policy, expressed hope for governmental action, stating, "Надеюсь, теперь правительство подготовит положительное заключение" (I hope now the government will provide a positive conclusion). Nilov's remarks follow the introduction of various legislative amendments proposed to empower soldiers, irrespective of their operational roles.
Indeed, the dialogues initiated during this direct line have raised pressing questions about the welfare of military personnel at the front. The emotional weight felt among the wives of soldiers is palpable. They seek assurance and fairness for their loved ones steeling themselves against significant danger.
Future actions proposed from this event potentially include advancing legislation to provide status to all veteran soldiers, ensuring no one feels overlooked or underappreciated for their sacrifices. There is broad consensus from other political figures like Eлена Цунаева, who stressed the need for prompt resolution to the longer-term issues impacting service members.
Combat pay and its misallocation highlight systemic issues within the military bureaucracy, and Putin's commitment to rectify these conditions offers some hope for the future. His vow to check and address individual soldier situations could pave the way for not just back payments but also systemic reform to how soldiers are recognized and compensated.
For families who sacrifice daily, updates like these deliver reassurance – the government is taking note of their needs. Soldiers on the front lines, engaged actively to protect their homeland, deserve clarity and justice.
