Russia plans to delay December military pay to January for first time in 18 years

In brief

• Russia's Defence Ministry is considering moving December military salaries to January, the first such change in at least 18 years.
• The draft order would exempt personnel fighting in Ukraine, who would still be paid by December 25.
• The shift is linked to a budget deficit, with state spending projected at about 48.5 trillion rubles this year.

Plan to shift December pay

Russia's Defence Ministry plans to move the payment of December salaries for military personnel to January of the following year, according to Bloomberg (В РФ начались проблемы с выплатой зарплат военным – Charter 97) (Уперше за 18 років: у Росії планують затримку грудневих зарплат військовим, – Bloomberg – Espreso). The proposal is contained in a draft order that would take effect in 2026 (Росія розглядає можливість затримки виплати зарплат військових – TSN). Under current rules, December pay has to be completed before the year ends (Минобороны РФ предложило отложить выплаты военнослужащим, кроме тех, кто воюет в Украине — Bloomberg – NV).

Who is affected

Servicemen who take part in the war against Ukraine would be exempt from the change and would continue to receive December payments by December 25. The new schedule would apply to other military personnel, with December pay transferred between January 11 and January 21.

Why the change is being considered

The move would allow the government to shift part of its spending into the next financial period, easing pressure on a budget that typically carries heavy outlays at year's end. The deficit has grown as the war in Ukraine drags on into its fifth year (Росії бракує коштів на виплату зарплат військовим, – Bloomberg – UNIAN).

Historical precedent

A similar practice existed in the Soviet Union. Earlier versions of the Defence Ministry order, dating to 2011 and 2019, required December pay to be made by the last working day of the month.

Status

The Defence Ministry had not responded to Bloomberg's request for comment on the planned changes at the time of reporting. The measure is so far a draft order; if adopted in its current form, it would take effect in December 2026, with payments made in January 2027.