Russia cuts military pay in some regions amid budget crisis — Ukrainian intel

The press service of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence reported the information.

One-time regional bonuses for those signing contracts with the occupying army have been significantly reduced in several Russian regions. In Bashkortostan, the bonus was cut from 1.6 million to 1 million rubles; in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, from 3.1 million to 1.9 million; in Belgorod Oblast, from 3 million to 800,000; and in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, from 3 million to 1.5 million rubles.

At the same time, payments have increased in some regions. In Tatarstan, the bonus rose to 3.1 million rubles; in Ryazan Oblast, authorities promise to add an extra 1 million; and in Kabardino-Balkaria, the amount went from 1.5 million to 1.8 million rubles.

Ukrainian intelligence notes that this has effectively created a “caste system” in Russia, where the value of citizens’ lives is measured unevenly depending on their region of origin.

From January to July 2025, Russia’s federal budget deficit reached $61 billion — nearly four times the initial plan of $14.6 billion. The main reasons cited are a drop in oil and gas revenues, tax collection failures, and a rapid increase in military spending.

• Over the past day in the war in Ukraine, the Russian army lost an aircraft, 940 servicemen, and dozens more units of equipment and weaponry.