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An M1A2 SEP (V2) Abrams main battle tank was carried on board. US ARMY’s photo
MOSCOW – The cash prizes that Russian companies and officials offer to destroy Western military equipment in Ukraine are constantly appearing.
The flood of gifts will surely cause more interested people to take up the task, predicted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday (1/2/2023).
He noted that although Western heavy tanks such as the Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams had not yet been delivered to the Kiev forces, such a prize offer demonstrated the “unity and desire of all parties” to contribute to achieving the goals of Russia’s ongoing military operation in Ukraine.
Last week, Berlin announced it would supply Kiev with 14 Leopards and allow other European countries to export their own stockpiles to Ukraine, for a total of 112 tanks.
Also read: Emergency for Ukraine, Russia Sieges Important City in Donbass
Washington, meanwhile, has pledged 31 Abrams tanks, but does not expect to deliver them by the end of 2023.
Following the West’s decision, the governor of Russia’s eastern Zabaikalsky Region, Alexander Osipov, signed an order stipulating that local soldiers participating in the fighting in Ukraine could receive a monetary reward if they managed to capture or destroy a German or American tank.
Those who manage to catch a Leopard 2 in working condition can get paid as much as 3 million rubles ($6.4 million) while those who destroy it can get 1 million rubles ($2.13 million).
Those who assist in arrests can also be paid USD 7,150 (Rp 107 million). Those who assist in the destruction of German tanks will receive USD 2,240 (Rp. 33 million).
It should be noted that up to 10 people can be registered as assistants who are entitled to that payment.
