Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill that will erase the debts of recruits joining the army to fight in Ukraine, according to a Russian government website.

Russian agencies said that the law provides for the cancellation of up to 10 million rubles ($95,835) in arrears for those who sign contracts with the Defence Ministry to fight in Ukraine for at least a year, starting on December 1.

The law applies to all potential recruits against whom debt collection proceedings have been initiated before 1 December.

Russia is trying to recruit more men, offering ever-greater pay, in some cases multiples of the average wage, to those willing to fight in Ukraine.

This tactic allowed the military to increase its manpower in the conflict zone while avoiding another round of general conscription, which would have caused a mass exodus from Russia in September 2022.

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