Russia’s Smolensk Region has become at least the eighth region in the country to reduce financial payments to families of soldiers killed in the war against Ukraine, as well as compensation for wounded servicemen.

Under Resolution No. 619, signed by Governor Vasily Anokhin on October 16 and published three days later, compensation for minor injuries has been reduced from 500,000 to 300,000 rubles (from $6,100 to $3,665), a 40% cut. Payments for severe injuries have fallen from 700,000 to 500,000 rubles (from $8,539 to $6,100), a reduction of nearly 30%, according to ASTRA.

Compensation for injuries not included on the government’s official list of qualifying disabilities has been cut threefold, from 300,000 to 100,000 rubles (from $3,665 to $1,220). Payments to families of soldiers killed during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine have also been reduced, from 1 million to 700,000 rubles (from $12,199 to $8,539).

The changes amend two regional government resolutions: No. 237, dated April 13, 2022, covering military personnel and National Guard members, and No. 168, dated April 11, 2023, which governs compensation for volunteers and their families.

Other Russian regions have also reduced or abolished payments in 2026.

Ulyanovsk Region: Compensation for families of fallen soldiers was cut from 1 million to 500,000 rubles (from $12,199 to $6,100) in February. On April 27, Governor Alexei Russkikh signed a decree reducing the payment further to 50,000 rubles ($610).

Bashkortostan: Payments were reduced from 1 million to 500,000 rubles (from $12,199 to $6,100) from January 1, then cut to 100,000 rubles ($1,220) on April 30.

Kemerovo Region: Compensation for families of those killed was reduced from 3 million ($36,597) to 1 million rubles ($12,199) at the beginning of the year.

Omsk Region: Payments were halved from 1 million ($12,199) to 500,000 rubles ($6,100) in February.

Saratov Region: In September, the regional government approved a tenfold reduction, from 1 million ($12,199) to 100,000 rubles ($1,220), effective November 1, 2026.

Orenburg Region: Regional compensation for families of soldiers killed in the war against Ukraine was abolished for deaths occurring after June 30, 2026.

Samara Region: On October 15, Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev signed a decree abolishing the regional payment of 1 million rubles ($12,199) previously granted to families of fallen soldiers.

Earlier, St. Petersburg also sharply reduced payments to military contract recruits. The total package had previously reached 4.5 million rubles ($54,896), but updated information published on the city government’s website on October 15 showed that the payment from the city budget had been cut to 1 million rubles ($12,199).