Krasnodar Krai Increases Payments for Contract Soldiers to Among Highest in Russia

The regional payment for contract soldiers in Krasnodar Krai has been increased to 2.5 million rubles (approximately $27,800 at current rates) for those joining the military operation from February 1, 2026.

Apr 18, 2026

Payments for new military contracts in Krasnodar Krai have been raised to attract recruits.
Source:
Oksana Kozyreva / NGS.RU

In Krasnodar Krai, the regional payment for contract soldiers has been increased to 2.5 million rubles (approximately $27,800 at current rates). Previously, the maximum was 2.1 million rubles (approximately $23,300). This decision was made by Governor Veniamin Kondratyev. The new amount will be accrued to those who sign a contract to participate in the military operation from February 1, 2026.

With the new changes, those who sign a contract in Krasnodar can receive a one-time payment of 3.4 million rubles (approximately $37,800 at current rates):

2.5 million rubles (approximately $27,800) — regional payment;

500 thousand rubles (approximately $5,600) — payment from the municipality, which has been given in Krasnodar since the end of June 2025;

400 thousand rubles (approximately $4,400) — payment from the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD).

For comparison, in Moscow Oblast, the maximum one can receive is 3 million rubles (approximately $33,300), in Adygea and Rostov Oblast — 2.4 million rubles (approximately $26,700).

More than in Krasnodar Krai is given only to contract soldiers in Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug — 4.1 million rubles (approximately $45,600), including the federal payment.

In case of death, relatives of participants of the special military operation who signed a contract in Kuban will receive a total of 7 million rubles (approximately $77,800).

Earlier, 93.RU reported that in Krasnodar Krai, the former vice-governor of Kuban and ataman of the Kuban Cossack Host, Alexander Vlasov, was arrested. A few hours before his detention, he announced his departure to the special military operation, but it did not happen. Alexander Vlasov is accused of abuse of authority (Part 2, Article 201 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and organizing fraud (Part 3, Article 33 — Part 4, Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). According to 93.RU, Vlasov may be involved in the embezzlement of subsidy funds allocated for equipping volunteers. The money never reached the participants of the special military operation.