The Russian Defense Ministry and regional authorities are increasingly cutting or delaying military conscription payments as budget deficits grow, according to the latest findings from the Institute for the Study of War. ISW's latest report also cites a Russian campaigner, who on November 3 said that regional authorities in Russia have also widely reduced or eliminated death benefits for families of service members who died during 2026. The decision to reduce the financial compensation reflects a deliberate effort to manage the state's resources for a prolonged war of attrition. By cutting social and military benefits, the Kremlin streamlines spending to sustain long-term, high-casualty military operations without depleting the federal budget.

The Russian Defense Ministry and regional authorities are increasingly cutting or delaying military conscription payments as budget deficits grow, according to the latest findings from the Institute for the Study of War. ISW's latest report also cites a Russian campaigner, who on November 3 said that regional authorities in Russia have also widely reduced or eliminated death benefits for families of service members who died during 2026. The decision to reduce the financial compensation reflects a deliberate effort to manage the state's resources for a prolonged war of attrition. By cutting social and military benefits, the Kremlin streamlines spending to sustain long-term, high-casualty military operations without depleting the federal budget.