On Februay 17, Vazhnye Istorii reported that some Russian military personnel are securing their departure from the front lines through financial transactions. Various sources, including military insiders, relatives of soldiers, and activists, have confirmed the practice to the media outlet.
The price of these briberies varies based on the soldier’s status—whether they are mobilized, contracted, or former convicts—and their deployment location. For instance, the cost of an official withdrawal in the Kursk region, including a formal leave followed by a medical exemption, could reach 3 million rubles (~$33,805).
Military hospitals play a key role in this process, as they retain the authority to determine fitness for service. Some medical personnel reportedly accepted payments to misreport injuries or issue temporary unfitness status, with a month-long leave due to supposed medical rehabilitation costing between 700,000 and 1 million rubles (~$7,888 to ~$11,268). However, there are no guarantees that soldiers will not be sent back after their leave.
Online forums have facilitated such transactions, with instances going back as early as 2023. Yet, it is still an actual practice: in January 2025, Russian authorities detained a military prosecutor suspected of accepting 200,000 (~$2,253) rubles to facilitate a soldier’s exit under the pretense of legal testimony.
Sources suggest that bribery opportunities vary across military units, with some commanding officers permitting paid transfers to safer positions rather than complete withdrawal. Additionally, reports indicate that the risks of desertion vary by location. On the frontlines, heightened security measures make unauthorized departures difficult, often requiring additional payments for safe transit.
The extent of these practices remains unclear, but multiple reports indicate their persistence within the Russian armed forces, suggesting an ongoing and complex system in which financial transactions influence deployment status.