Russia rewards soldiers who destroy Western equipment in Ukraine

The Russian Defense Ministry announced a reward for any soldier who destroys Leopard tanks and Bradley armored vehicles that the West has provided to Ukraine.

"Based on reports from Russian commanders on the battlefield, bonuses are being paid to Russian soldiers who participated in the operation and destroyed Leopard tanks, armored vehicles produced by the US and NATO members," the Russian Defense Ministry said today.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, this is part of a larger program. As of May 31, 10,257 servicemen had been awarded for destroying about 16,000 pieces of Ukrainian and Western military equipment. The bonuses for each tank and armored vehicle were 100,000 rubles ($1,192) and 50,000 rubles, respectively.

Pilots and air defense system operators will receive 300,000 rubles ($3,585) for each downed Ukrainian plane or helicopter. Equal rewards will also be given to those who hit Ukrainian Tochka-U missile systems and HIMARS rocket launchers.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on June 11 awarded the "Golden Star Hero of Russia" medal to soldiers who destroyed the German Leopard tank and the American Bradley armored vehicle.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at a meeting in Moscow on May 24. Photo: Reuters — Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at a meeting in Moscow on May 24. Photo: *Reuters*

The United States, Germany and several European countries have delivered tanks, armored vehicles and air defense systems to Ukraine to help it bolster its military capabilities in the counteroffensive. Russia has repeatedly stated that any weapons sent to Ukraine by the West will only prolong the conflict and lead to unnecessary bloodshed, and has stressed that it will target these weapons.

On June 13, the Russian Defense Ministry posted a video of its soldiers approaching and inspecting Leopard 2A6 tanks and four Bradley fighting vehicles in the Zaporizhzhia region. These weapons participated in the failed raid of the 47th Independent Mechanized Brigade, one of nine “iron fist” brigades established by Ukraine according to Western standards, trained abroad and equipped with NATO-standard weapons.

US experts believe that Russia may be able to obtain intelligence data from Leopard 2A6 and Bradley captured from Ukraine, but it will be difficult to gain a significant advantage.