Russia reduces payments to contractors: which regions cut bonuses to 800 thousand.

The Russian government is forced to cut spending on 'cannon fodder' for its war due to a federal budget deficit. In some regions, payments under army contracts have been significantly reduced, while they have been increased in others. This was reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on August 15.

Changes in payments for contractors

'Due to the growing federal budget deficit and financial problems in the regions, Russia is forced to save on the main resource of its bloody war — cannon fodder,' the message states.

In several regions, there is a significant reduction in one-time payments for those who sign a contract with the Russian army:

• in Bashkortostan - from 1.6 million to 1 million rubles,
• in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug - from 3.1 to 1.9 million,
• in Belgorod region - from 3 million to 800 thousand,
• in Nizhny Novgorod - from 3 to 1.5 million rubles.

Meanwhile, in other regions, such payments are only increasing. For example, in Tatarstan, the bonus has been raised to 3.1 million rubles, and in Ryazan region, they promise to pay an additional 1 million rubles. And in Kabardino-Balkaria, they promised to increase the payment amount from 1.5 to 1.8 million rubles.

'Thus, a 'caste system' is being formed in Russia, where citizens from different regions are valued differently,' the intelligence emphasized.

Critical deficit in the federal budget

According to the Main Intelligence Directorate, the budget deficit in Russia is rapidly increasing. Only in January-July 2025, it amounted to 61 billion dollars, which is almost four times higher than the initial plan of 14.6 billion dollars.

The main reasons are the decrease in revenue from oil and gas, violations of tax plans, and a rapid increase in military spending.

It is also worth mentioning that in Russia, sick leave payments for rural teachers have stopped being compensated. Those who refuse to comply with this requirement can be deprived of a million rubles. In addition, Putin misleads Russians about the true state of the country’s economy.