Published On 5/26/2026
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Last update: 08:54 (Mecca time)
Russia decided to exempt new recruits to the war in Ukraine and their families from debt, in a move to encourage those wishing to join the war that has been going on for more than 4 years.
The Kremlin said late on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had signed a decree exempting new recruits in the Ukraine war and their families from debt.
The decree stated that people who signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense as of May 1, and their spouses or both, will be exempted from their debts amounting to 10 million rubles (about 139,700 dollars) if the legal claim to collect those debts is in effect before that date.
The Kremlin said that the contract to join the “special military operation” – as Russia calls its war in Ukraine that began in February 2022 – must be for at least one year.
This decree comes in addition to a variety of support measures for Russian fighters in the war, ranging from large payments to preferential admission to higher education, at a time when the Kremlin seeks to strengthen its forces as US-led peace talks falter.
Russia and Ukraine are exchanging accusations of seeking to escalate the conflict, and Kiev plans to send reinforcements to the northern Ukrainian regions to confront what it believes are Russian plans to launch a new attack.
Urgent mediation
For his part, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Tuesday that the United States is still ready to mediate in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, following the major attack launched by Russia on Kiev.
“Every time you see these major strikes from either side, it is a reminder that this horrific war has lasted longer than World War II, and it must end,” Rubio said after a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
Rubio added to reporters during an official visit to India, “The United States is fully prepared and prepared to provide everything in its power to help facilitate the end of this war, and we hope that the opportunity will arise at some point.”
Russia announced on Monday that it plans to launch more strikes against decision-making and leadership centers in Kiev, after it launched dozens of drones and missiles at Ukraine over the weekend, killing 4 people.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that Lavrov urged the United States to evacuate its diplomats from its embassy in Kiev.
Rubio explained to reporters that Russia “sent a notification to all embassies,” not just the US embassy.
Warning to evacuate the capital
On Monday, Russia urged foreign nationals and diplomats present in Kiev to leave, announcing its intention to launch more strikes on the Ukrainian capital.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement: “The strikes will target decision-making centers and command centers. We urge foreign nationals, including employees of diplomatic missions and international organizations, to leave the city as soon as possible.”
The statement also called on residents of the Ukrainian capital to stay away from “military and administrative infrastructure.”
This announcement came after intense Russian strikes targeted Ukraine, especially the capital, Kiev, over the weekend, killing at least 4 people and wounding about 100 others. Russia used the Oreshnik ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead in the strikes.
