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Is Russia Starting to Fragment?
While looking at Telegram today, I came across this piece. It’s not the first; however, it does look like the old system of Druzhinia is back. What is this, you ask? In the medieval period, the nobles, the Boyars, were required to raise military units for the Tsar.
I know every nobleman in Europe was required to do that. Here, it looks like the governors are new high-ranking boyars. In Russia, they get selected by the federal government based on their loyalty to Vladimir Putin. So here is the post because it sounds familiar:
Auction for cannon fodder. Regional payments for signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense set new records, offers are now limited in time
The increase in payments when concluding a contract with the Ministry of Defense increasingly began to be provided by new “sponsors” — municipalities, the Ministry of Defense drew attention. In addition, a “seasonal” factor has appeared — now the most profitable offers are limited in time, which makes them similar to promotions in retail chains.
Here is a list of leading regions in terms of the size of a lump sum payment upon conclusion of a contract (all amounts are indicated taking into account the federal payment of 195 thousand rubles).
▪️ Krasnodar — 1.645 million
The record was set thanks to a city surcharge of 250…