A poster from the Ukrainian Parliament showing the rewards available for turning in Russian equipmentUkrainian Rada/Telegram
Ukraine’s parliament has passed a new law to reward people who donate Russian military equipment.
Anyone who turns in a Russian warship or fighter jet can receive up to $1 million.
The first deputy spokesman said the law was aimed at Putin’s demoralized Russian troops.
Ukraine’s parliament – the Rada – has passed a law rewarding Russian soldiers who surrender with their equipment.
In a statement on the Rada’s website, Bill 7229 proposes that anyone who ships Russian equipment to Ukraine receive generous payouts.
For example, the Rada states that anyone who turns over a Russian warship or combat aircraft (either a fighter or an attack aircraft) to the Ukrainian military can receive a reward of up to $1 million.
A military vehicle, such as a special truck, will receive a reward of up to $10,000.
In addition to money, anyone who gives up Russian equipment also receives “secrecy, a safe stay in Ukraine and support in obtaining new documents and leaving for a third country”.
First Deputy Speaker of Ukraine’s Parliament Oleksandr Kornienko said this new law will succeed as many Russian soldiers need to “replenish their financial status”. The “demoralization of the occupying army will encourage the desire to surrender equipment”.
Kornienko added that the troops will be motivated by their “misunderstanding of the meaning of why they are dying.”
Rewarding defecting Russian troops has been a feature of Ukrainian strategy since the beginning of the war.
On February 28, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov addressed Russian troops on his Facebook page. “We are offering Russian soldiers a choice: to die in an unjust war or full amnesty and 5 million rubles ($58,000) in compensation. If they lay down their arms and surrender voluntarily,” he said.
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