Several Russian regions have increased payments to volunteers signing contracts to participate in the Special Military Operation (SMO) in recent weeks. According to a source from “Nezigar” working in one of the regional governments, this measure is linked to a shortage of new contract recruits and shifting public sentiments. For instance, authorities in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug raised payments to 2.65 million rubles, in Buryatia the amount surged by 60% to 1.6 million rubles, and in Rostov Oblast it reached 2 million rubles. Municipalities are also contributing: Sochi increased its own payments to 500,000 rubles. Previously, similar decisions were made in major cities like Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod, and others. The source explains that the goal is primarily to “align” payments to an average regional level, with a benchmark of 2–2.5 million rubles. Regions with already high payments, such as Moscow and Leningrad Oblast, have received informal signals to refrain from further increases. Meanwhile, the presidential administration, according to the source, supports raising payments in “lagging” regions. Formally, the decision on payment amounts rests with regional authorities, but the source notes that these are often made after unofficial consultations, sometimes involving the presidential administration. In some cases, the initiative comes from volunteers themselves, who complain that contract terms are more favorable in neighboring regions. The system for recruiting volunteers in regions is already well-established, typically involving staffing agencies, veteran communities, or related structures. In rare cases, local authorities hold tenders to engage third-party organizations, but most prefer to operate directly through “gray” schemes. In the spring, there was a surge of interest in contract service, with potential volunteers hoping for a swift end to the war. Now, according to the source, sentiments have shifted, and the flow of willing recruits may decline. Against this backdrop, increasing payments appears to be a preemptive measure. In the Kremlin, the source says, the focus is on a simple KPI: the number of new volunteers must at least offset combat losses and exceed the recruitment of contract soldiers on the Ukrainian side. Mobilization rhetoric has faded from the agenda, and the source believes a large-scale mobilization is unlikely in the near future. However, another factor remains—the standard of living. The worse the economic situation in regions, the more people may be willing to sign contracts. “The pool of volunteers is far from exhausted,” the source concludes. According to them, the task of attracting contract recruits remains a top priority for governors and their teams.