Putin Orders One-Time $3,200 Payment For Mobilized And Contract Soldiers After His Decision Triggered Protests

Russian leader Vladimir Putin ordered a one-time payment of 195,000 roubles ($3,200) for contract soldiers and those mobilized to fight in Ukraine on Thursday. 

What Happened: The Kremlin, last week, said the “partial mobilization” announced by Putin was over, and about 300,000 reservists were called up, admitting that the decision led to problems. 

After Putin's announcement in late September, over 2,000 people were arrested for protesting. Russians took to the streets over cases of men being called up despite medical exemptions or a lack of military experience.

See Also: Putin Suggests Russia’s Weapons Are Outdated: Seeks ‘Upgrades And Improvements’ Amid Ukraine Setbacks

Putin said the payment was designed “to provide additional measures of social support” to those who had been called up, the decree published on the Kremlin website read without giving further details. 

The minimum monthly wage on offer for contract army men in Russia is 160,000 roubles ($2,700) – which is three times more than the national average, reported Reuters. 

Ukraine said it might not participate in next month's Group of 20 (G20) summit in Bali if Putin attends after seeking Russia's expulsion from the intergovernmental forum. 

"My personal position and that of Ukraine was that if the leader of the Russian Federation was to take part, Ukraine would not be participating," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a news conference.

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