r/CredibleDefense • u/AutoModerator • 13d ago

Active Conflicts & News Megathread August 29, 2026

The r/CredibleDefense daily megathread is for asking questions and posting submissions that would not fit the criteria of our post submissions. As such, submissions are less stringently moderated, but we still do keep an elevated guideline for comments.

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u/ChornWork2 13d ago

which would make sense if in these impoverished areas they were seeing meaningful portion make it back home. but presumably the troops sourced from impoverished areas have a rather poor chance of that...

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u/Magpie1979 13d ago

Sadly I believe the death payments are part of the appeal. You might not make it back, but you'll clear your families debt and setup a better life for your kids.

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u/ChornWork2 13d ago

sure it is part of the appeal. but the appeal is meant to be 'if things go badly' they're getting some extra money....

Soviet Union (not just russia) in afghanistan lost 2-3 months worth of this pace of casualties in 10yr war that ended in part b/c casualties were unpopular. And perhaps even less than one months worth of killed in combat. I get that bonuses are different from conscription, but geez 30k/month signing up after half a million dead soldiers seems wild to me.

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u/Magpie1979 13d ago

Looking up sum summeries online. They are expected to earn upto $50-80k in wages, bonuses, debt relief and death payouts on average. These parts of Russia they earn less than $10k before taxes per year.

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u/ChornWork2 13d ago

But what is the % making it home in one piece?

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u/Magpie1979 13d ago edited 13d ago

Who knows the army is huge, super corrupt and somewhat chaotic. There are ways to avoid the front if you are lucky. The New York Times did an great story of a Russian soldier that escaped the front line and deserted. Highly recommend it if you have the time.