The authorities of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YNAO) have announced a reduction in one-time payments for volunteers who sign a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense to participate in a special military operation (SVO). From April 15, 2025, the payment amount will be reduced by 40% - from 3,1 million rubles to 1,9 million rubles. This was reported by the publication "Ura.ru" with reference to a source in the regional authorities. According to him, the decision is due to the influx of people from other regions who wanted to receive high payments in Yamal, which created an overload for local military commissariats. A similar reduction occurred in the Samara Region, where the lump sum payment for contract soldiers decreased from 3,6 million rubles to 2,1 million rubles. These steps mark a departure from the previous practice of increasing financial incentives for SVO participants, raising questions about the reasons and consequences of such changes.

The decision of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug authorities was formalized by a decree published on the official website of the region. The press service of Governor Dmitry Artyukhov clarified that the increased payment of 3,1 million rubles is retained for those who signed a contract from April 1 to 14, but from April 15 the amount returns to the previous level. A source for Ura.ru explained that the migration of contract soldiers from other regions, attracted by high payments, created administrative difficulties, forcing the authorities to reconsider the policy. In the Samara Region, the reduction in payments is also associated with budget restrictions, although the regional authorities have not provided official comments on this matter.

The reduction in payments in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District and Samara Oblast was the first time that regions have moved away from the trend of increasing financial incentives for participants. The reduction in payments may be due to the authorities' attempt to optimize expenses and reduce the flow of people wishing to join from other regions who are not prepared for the real conditions of service.