Putin is trying to "buy" Russians' desire to fight in Ukraine, which will be a blow to the economy – British intelligence

The laws on benefits for the occupiers fighting in Ukraine and their families, signed by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on April 6, are intended to encourage more recruits to go to the front, as well as to limit criticism from the wives of fallen soldiers. However, the Kremlin's initiative is likely to be a blow to the Russian economy in the long run.

This is stated in the UK military intelligence report released on April 13. The agency noted that on April 6, Putin passed two laws to support the Russian Armed Forces military fighting against Ukraine and their families.

The first one exempted the occupiers from paying interest on consumer loans and loan repayment holidays. This follows from the law of October 2022, which exempted the mobilized and other participants in the invasion of Ukraine from penalties for late payments for housing, utilities, loans, and credit card debts.

The second law, signed by Putin, amends the Russian Labor Code and prohibits employers from firing the widows of Russian military personnel within a year of their husband's death.

The British intelligence service noted that the Kremlin probably introduced these laws "in the hope of pacifying the Russian military by financially incentivizing more recruits to join the fighting in exchange for state benefits and limiting criticism from the wives of fallen soldiers."

"Although any payment holidays may cost the Russian federal government little in the short term, they are likely to have long-term consequences for Russia's economic situation and prospects," the report says.

As a reminder, according to UK intelligence, in 2024, Russia intends to recruit about 400,000 more contract soldiers. The Kremlin's goal is to compensate for heavy losses.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that negotiations with Putin are possible only when he realizes that he must withdraw his troops from Ukraine. Until then, direct talks do not make sense, Scholz said.

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