Putin Promises Russian War Recruits Long Vacations if They Fight for Him

Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged that Russians who volunteer to fight in Ukraine will be guaranteed long vacations and job security, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recently said.

Peskov told Russian state-run news agency RIA Novosti that Putin vowed to instruct the government to enshrine a provision into law that would guarantee the jobs of those who volunteer to fight in Ukraine, as well allowing them to take long breaks.

The Russian leader reportedly promised to make the changes after he was approached by an employee of the regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations during a trip to Petropalovsk-Kamchatsky, Peskov said.

The employee reportedly told Putin that he had previously applied to fight in the ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine, but it turned out that, according to the law, he could not be granted a long vacation, and could not be guaranteed a return to his original position with his employer.

"Vladimir Putin promised this employee to give instructions, to draw the attention of the government to the gap in Russian legislation," Peskov said, adding that "legislation must be brought in line with the de facto situation."

The Kremlin spokesman added that these amendments to the legislation, among other things, should provide such labor guarantees, including the possibility of a long vacation.

Russian politicians have previously raised concerns about some cases where employees were dismissed for absenteeism after serving in Ukraine on a three-month contract with the Russian army.

"I consider it right to draft amendments to the Labor Code to protect the rights of volunteers," State Duma deputy Alexander Khinshtein wrote on his Telegram channel last week.

Khinshtein indicated that he will soon he will submit legislation that will provide Ukraine war volunteers with job security.

Over the past few months, Russian authorities have ramped up the recruitment of volunteers for the war—now in its sixth month. Russian authorities are continuing to recruit contract workers en masse without announcing war mobilization.

Putin launched what he has deemed a "special military operation" against Ukraine on February 24, and there have been some unconfirmed reports of low morale among troops. Declaring an all-out war on Ukraine would allow Putin to draft conscripts and mobilize reserve forces under Russian law.

Russian officials in St. Petersburg have been looking to recruit war volunteers from a mental health unit, offering cash incentives and more to encourage people to fight, according to an advertisement that was posted on the website of the Psychoneurological Dispensary No. 2 in the city.

According to the advertisement, which later appeared to have been removed, volunteers who sign contracts of at least six months were promised lump-sum payments, compensation for housing and communal services, the right to receive the status of a combat veteran and the right to enter universities without competition, and one-time material assistance.

An advertising banner also details how to pass a psychiatric examination for a permit to carry a weapon.

Thousands of job vacancies for Russian contract workers have also appeared throughout regional employment centers, while local media reported that authorities in St. Petersburg have also attempt to recruit the city's homeless population to fight in Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials also said on Monday that Russia has begun to recruit sick and injured soldiers from hospitals to replace its losses.

Newsweek has reached out to Russia's foreign ministry for comment.