It would not surprise me.

It’s common in authoritarian states.

When I read the translation it immediately was familiar because this is done in Mexico like every disaster. It starts with leaders of government bodies saying everybody, including them, who can afford it, giving up a day of wages.

Everybody is way too cynical to expect most of it reaching victims. People we knew who worked in the public sector always complained, because they could not afford a day of wages. Due to family relations we knew them, and my parents at times gifted them the money.

I am sure some of this may be happening in Russia, but a lot less. The economy is collapsing.