Pay or Die

Journalists from the independent outlet Verstka describe a systemic pattern of corruption in Russia’s military in Ukraine, where troops are forced to pay to avoid dangerous combat assignments or to receive legally mandated leave. Those who refuse risk being sent into high-risk assaults, or worse.

Sergey, a 28-year-old warehouse worker, signed a contract with Russia’s Defense Ministry in 2024 and received R2.5 million (about $30,200). Three days later, he found himself in an occupied village in Ukraine’s Luhansk region. There, a commander known by the call sign "Psych" warned that most assault troops die on their first mission.

"I didn’t understand at first why he was scaring us," Sergey said. The next day, in a private conversation, the commander offered him a way out: pay R1 million (about $12,000) to avoid the assault.

Sergey agreed. He also negotiated with another serviceman, Koldun, who promised to arrange a transfer to a drone unit, which is considered safer. The cost: R150,000 ($1,800), later rising by another R350,000 ($4,200), allegedly for drones.

At the same time, his commander demanded money for equipment, including entrenching tools for the platoon, and ordered Sergey to withdraw another R350,000 ($4,200), supposedly for a radio. 

Before New Year’s 2025, Sergey again faced extortion when ordered into another assault. He refused to pay, but fellow soldiers agreed: at least R180,000 ($2,200) per person was transferred to unspecified accounts.

Later, troops were offered a "subscription" arrangement: R100,000 ($1,200) per month to remain at evacuation points instead of going into combat. Sergey agreed, but a new battalion commander soon sent him back to the front in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region.

Other soldiers report similar schemes. A mobilized soldier named Ilya said he pays R100,000 ($1,200) monthly out of his salary to avoid frontline deployment. The remaining R96,000 ($1,160) must cover personal expenses, including leave, which costs R5000 ($60) per day. Payments are typically transferred to accounts controlled by intermediaries, he said.

Commanders also impose arbitrary fines. Soldiers report being forced to buy expensive alcohol for minor infractions. Items demanded include premium cognac and champagne. The alcohol is consumed in recreation rooms built by soldiers at their own expense.

According to Verstka, some commanders go further, allegedly killing subordinates who refuse to pay and seizing salaries from the dead.

Several soldiers described the practices of two commanders, known as "Kemer" and "Dudka," from the 80th Tank Regiment. They allegedly collected substantial sums from troops, with one soldier claiming that a commander’s account held R53 million (approximately $640,000).

Journalists report that another soldier, Andrei Bykov, was killed after refusing to hand over compensation payments following an injury. He had used the money to buy a Toyota Camry. His mother said commanders demanded the car, beat him when he refused, and ultimately killed him. Complaints to authorities brought no results.

Families have incurred debt to protect relatives. One woman said she took out a loan and paid R1 million ($12,000) to save her son.

Both commanders reportedly have criminal records and are not career military personnel. One had prior convictions for robbery, the other served time for fraud before joining the war.

In January 2026, a woman identified as Elena said her husband was killed on orders from the same commander. "They beat him to death," she said.