In the wealthier federal subjects, the signing bonus was over 1 million Rubles as early as last fall; with a portion paid by private sponsors (probably with some pressures) - such as construction companies from St. Petersburg. What’s new is that this figure is now reached without private participation, but only with federal + regional + municipal money. Poorer regions and cities cannot afford to pay such sums, but one can still quite conveniently travel and sign a contract in the places where they offer more, and the trip is reimbursed, in its entirerety or in large part.

In any case since the end of last year there has been substantial stagnation in the maximum amounts reached by the signing bonuses; also in regards to salaries it seems very difficult to go beyond 210/220 thousand Rubles a month. Compensations in case of death or injury have remained the same as the last year. On the other hand, it seems that lately they are focusing more on bonuses in case of active fighting or advances (an example regarding an ad that has been running a lot lately: 8 thousand Rubles per day in case of fighting + 50 thousand Rubles for each kilometer of advance recorded during the clashes). But let’s also remember that under the Decree 647 of Sept. 21, 2022, all contracts are automatically extended until the end of the SMO, barring a few exceptions.

I would not pay much attention to the exchange rate, as what matters to an average Russian who has never left the country is the domestic price level (when the Ruble during summer 2022 had appreciated by 1/3 against the Dollar, compared to 2021 values, certainly the average Russian paid in Rubles was not 1/3 richer). So I would just adjust the figures to the country’s cumulative inflation compared to a time basis rather than to the exchange rate.