Russian companies face choice: pay or send employees to war in Ukraine

According to information obtained by TVNET, Russian authorities are increasing pressure on companies to supply new contract soldiers for the war in Ukraine. Recruitment plans are developed in Moscow and then handed over to regional administrations, which inform local businesses how many employees they must "give up".

Authorities continuously raise the set quotas, even if previous ones remain unmet. However, companies have an option to avoid sending their workers by signing a contract for "candidate selection for the special military operation". This means the contract soldier is not taken from the specific company but is recruited elsewhere, in exchange for payment for the service.

This system allows companies to formally meet state demands without losing employees, but it imposes an additional financial burden. Russia has been trying to boost its military numbers amid heavy battlefield losses.