Putin Signs Law Forgiving Soldier Debts as Russia Resurrects Wagner Legion

On November 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law aimed at supporting soldiers involved in the ongoing war in Ukraine. The law allows military personnel who have served in Ukraine to have debts of up to 10 million rubles (approximately 95,869 dollars) forgiven, as long as the debts are part of legal proceedings that begin before December 1, 2024. This move is seen as an effort to encourage more people to join the Russian military by signing contracts.

Meanwhile, Russia has avoided full mobilization, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that the country is currently recruiting enough contract soldiers. However, the law's passage suggests that the government is addressing economic concerns, particularly those related to compensating soldiers involved in the war. The law also includes provisions requiring soldiers to return signing bonuses if they commit severe disciplinary violations or try to avoid military service.

In a related development, Russian commanders have re-established the Wagner Legion, a new unit composed of former members of the infamous Wagner Group, which was disbanded after the death of its financier Yevgeny Prigozhin. Reports indicate that Wagner's former commanders are leading the new unit, and recruitment and training of new fighters are already underway. The Wagner Legion's full affiliation with the Russian Ministry of Defense remains unclear, although the group's resurgence suggests continued reliance on private military companies.

Concerns regarding Russia's military capabilities are compounded by the state of its frontlines. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has highlighted reports suggesting that Russia is preparing for an assault on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian...