While awaiting the arrival of a new batch of NATO equipment in Ukraine, Russian civil society groups and warrior guilds have begun announcing their own awards for destroyed battle tanks, IFV and APC. Anyone can contribute his or her own money to the prize fund. Prizes are awarded to winners who have destroyed enemy equipment declared in the competition list and recorded the result.
This is a new trend in the Russian information environment that emerged largely due to striking effectiveness of Wagner PMC fighters and other well-coordinated professional groups of the Russian military. The courage and fearlessness of these warriors amid modest successes of regular Russian MoD units brings fame at the level of top celebrities. Opponents from NATO countries cannot boast of the same.
US IFV M2 Bradley and MBT Leopard have become particularly popular in the hunt.
The RSOTM (Reverse Side Of The Medal) Telegram channel, for example, stated that the winners would receive branded T-shirts, as well as $14,000 for M2 Bradley and $28,000 for Leopard in addition. However, RSOTM has declared that it would not be announcing rewards for the elimination of enemy soldiers or undesirable persons, not under any circumstances. This is in stark contrast to Ukrainian statements about rewards for the heads of journalists, politicians or individual Russian commanders.
RSOTM is one of the modern-day phenomena. A few years ago, the Telegram channel was created by a group of PMCs and professional military personnel under the leadership of a persona known as “Admin”. Another fighter known as “Vladlen Tatarsky”, who became extremely popular in 2022, is actively involved in the case. A video with him you may have seen on our web site. This team has now actually turned into a separate warrior guild.
The Russian MoD also pays bonuses to soldiers and officers for destroying enemy equipment or accomplishing important military tasks.
For destroyed aircraft – $4,300
For a destroyed helicopter – $2,900
For destroyed UAV – $720
For destroyed tank – $1,440
For destroyed APC, IFV, MRAP, MTLB, SAU, SAM, MLRS – $720
For achievements in destroying manpower – $1,440
For accomplishment of important military tasks – $1440
Interestingly, Russia’s Defense Ministry bonuses are low even in comparison to the monthly salary of an ordinary contract or mobilized soldier serving in the conflict zone. According to the official statements of the Defense Ministry, the minimum salary of such an enlisted man is approximately $2,800, while the one of sergeants and officers is some higher. It turns out that if we are talking only about material motivation, it is preferable for a Defense Ministry serviceman just to stay in the conflict zone rather than to conduct active combat operations, risking his life even more.
The situation is different in the Wagner PMC, where the minimum salary is about $3,500. At the same time, bonuses for the destroyed enemy’s equipment are many times higher than in the Russian Defense Ministry.
It is clear that the initiatives launched by RSOTM and other similar organizations are aimed at effectively increasing the material aspect of the motivation of all Russian soldiers in the conflict zone. Whether this will bring any visible results will be seen in the near future.
In any rate, Russian society has begun to change. The conflict in Ukraine may well lead to a very different socio-cultural formation in Russia within a few years. Thanks to the US and NATO. The Kiev armed coup in 2014, known as Euromaidan, led to a new world that will never be the same again.
Seems to me eminently sensible to have bounties no higher than standard pay, it encourages soldiers to do things beyond the minimum without encouraging them to risk their lives doing so. Yes that risks your military becoming risk-averse and maybe your soldiers are less capable than those who actively hunt battlefield bounties but the reduced rate of losses compared to such a force means a greater number of competent and experienced soldiers and more reserves, both of which have their own value.
With prizes like that, you could easily recruit millions of Americans…
What’s the bonus for detonating an american nuke at Ramstien just as the plane loads of amrour and ammo are arriving?
it’s one of those little things that are priceless…things you do for fun!
Independent Western media outlet saying that Bradley light tanks being moved by train to a port in Texas US possible Houston then likely to be shipped to Western Europe the guns fitted to the Bradley tank are light and the tank itself is vulnerable especially to attacks from the air! It has also been suggested that no more than 50 Bradley light tanks would be sent to the regime in Kiev again not enough to put in place any serious armour support for a counter attack by Kiev regime forces the French light tanks are also not suitable and are even more vulnerable than the US Bradley tank. In short even most of the German leopard tanks don’t work properly with turret and engine issues and also battery problems so there we go who wants to buy a used car from Joe Biden……..
The French light tank have antitank capabilities, are the faster of any armored vehicule in Ukraine, can cope with the mud, can cross a river by themselves and pack a long distance punch that IFV don’t have. As for armor, in case you didn’t get it, it has 0 value in Ukraine.
To say they’re not suitable is plain bullshit
Good idea, monetizing the swift destruction of foreign military assets.
every war thunder players dream come true
Just remind The Pentagon Wars movie about BRADLEY development. This is fun. The most lame armored personnel carrier in the world
It’s also a way for the US to off load all that junk.
Don’t worry if any of thise stuff gets near a battle Mr Kornet will off load it for them.
Reverse side of the medal, not river side….
That was a misprint. Thank you so much!
The enemy will be defeated the victory will be ours
Russian Federation 🙌
чувак, конечно долларами не платят. Это по курсу в рублях. По большому счету, тебе цену жизни на войне показали…
Уголовники,которые выбивают элитные подразделения всу из Бахмута и Соледара)))
See a shrink.
Вагнер в отличие от Азова пс Айдара группы Боцмана (Буча) Торнадо, не насилуют похищают расстреливают мирное население Украины
Maybe , concentrating on winning the war would be the better bet…….
you’re right, nobody pays Russian dollars, they pay in rubles. prices are given in dollars to make it easier for the Western reader. the salary of the mobilized in Russia is 195 thousand rubles. the salary of a contract soldier is 200 thousand per month. I heard that Wagner’s fighters are paid at least 250 thousand rubles. the dollar to ruble exchange rate today is 1$ = 69.92R. and prisoners fighting in Wagner’s squad are paid the same amount as ordinary fighters.
Summer and crossbows.Wagner’s coming up now.
Go Russia!
They forgot to write that, in addition to money, this person or unit was promised a book or books, as well as a T-shirt or T-shirts)) see the Tatar channel. Can’t post link here
I do not quite agree with the conclusions of the author that a new cultural layer will appear. Remember old traditions.
I will also add that the authors of the competition do not consider the option that it is easier for the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to knock out their Braley and surrender along with the bradley and get a ransom for it ..
Whatever it takes 👍👍👍👍
Джамбо🤙🏻
Ivan, the USA can do worse than Bradley!
Remember The GCV project, where they were building a… thing weighting 84 t, even heavier than today Abrams!
Well the German King Tiger in WW2 was a monster,we know what happened to them.
Bradley’s won’t last 5 minutes just a biscuit tin with no armour,as for the German mbt ask the Turks how the held up in Syria a few have been destroyed so no wonder weapons here no game changers .
Keep the calm and wait Russians.
Пусть везут свою технику сюда. Какая разница где её выбивать, здесь или в Европе. За то потом по Европе, до Ла-Манша легче будет шагать. Враг будет разбит. Победа будет за нами!!!
Je to dokonalý marketingový ťah. A čo sa týka tých platov vojakov? Tak to zodpovedá dnešnej dobe. Možno je to aj podhodnotené. Ľudský život má istotne vyššiu cenu, hlavne keď sa jedná o ten váš, či nie?