Samara Region Raises Bounties for Contract Soldier Recruitment

Authorities in Samara Region have increased the bounty paid to citizens who recruit others for contract military service, according to a regional decree.

Feb 12, 2026

Payment recipient lists are coordinated with military and security officials before social ministry submission.
Source:
Alexander Oshchepkov / NGS.RU

Residents of Samara who persuade others to enlist for contract service will now receive more money. The corresponding document was signed by acting governor of Samara Region Vitaly Shabalov.

Source:
Decree of the Governor of Samara Region dated January 22, 2026 No. 16-u «On Establishing a Separate Expenditure Obligation of Samara Region and Reallocating Budget Appropriations (Amending the Consolidated Budget Schedule) of the Regional Budget»

«The one-time payment for those who, from January 25 to May 9, 2026, facilitate the arrival of a candidate at a military commissariat or assembly point for signing a contract (1st category), will amount to 114,943 rubles (approximately $1,150 at current rates). This amount will be paid to adult citizens for each recruited contract soldier,» according to Decree No. 16-u «On Establishing a Separate Expenditure Obligation of Samara Region and Reallocating Budget Appropriations (Amending the Consolidated Budget Schedule) of the Regional Budget.»

According to the annex to the document, authorities had to revise the regional budget expenditures. Now 256.2 million rubles (approximately $2.56 million at current rates), which were allocated for child birth and upbringing benefits, have been reallocated to payments for attracting contract soldiers.

Payments for recruiting contract soldiers are not being increased for the first time. For example, in October 2024, they were raised to 100,000 rubles (approximately $1,000 at current rates).