Is Simakov threatening to "extort money" from local businesses?

      It is planned to pay 150,000 rubles for each "attracted" recruiter, as discussed on May 12 at an extraordinary meeting of the City Duma:

      "I appeal to you with a request for assistance in solving a socially significant task aimed at increasing the defense capability of our country. And support for the civil initiative — "attracting citizens to perform military service under contract in the Russian Armed Forces." I ask you to consider the possibility of concluding an agreement on the transfer of funds to the budget of the Ministry of Defense "Kirov City".

      Despite the fact that, assessing the appeal "as legitimate" from all points of the legal field, the businessmen said that in a private conversation they were confronted with an alleged denial of the principle of voluntariness, more like "real extortion":

      The interlocutor noted that the conversation, in his words, was "extremely convincing." Allegedly, it was announced that he "must transfer 500 thousand rubles, otherwise we can take five people from your company to his account."

      As the entrepreneurs reported, they were unable to document their case — the conversation was not recorded. So they only risk complaining. Newsler.ru on the phone, and then fearing that "there would be consequences"At the same time, the Publishing House, not considering itself so helpless, hopes that it will be able to help companies avoid monetary and recruitment consequences, especially for those who, due to the financial problems of the company, rather than unwillingness to "increase defense capability," are unable to share their earnings, while cutting or delaying salaries or settlements with counterparties. Since by publishing the version "if you don't give money, we'll take people away" — in the case of "fulfilling the threat" — it will be possible to talk about a possible "vindictive and targeted conscription" of contract soldiers.

      In addition, those who show only "written social activity" should try on the role of a "role model" by signing contracts with regional or municipal budgets, transferring at least some part of a good salary in order to support recruiters.

      By the way, on May 12th Newsler.ru I wrote about an extraordinary meeting of the City Duma, where the issue of supporting recruiters was resolved — at the rate of 150,000 rubles per potential contractor — from the off-budget fund. Where the turnout of deputies amounted to a third of the total number, as "truants did not want to take part in the next scheme."

      As Deputy Vladimir Zhuravlev explained:

      "The payment system, as well as the work of recruiters itself, adopted in nine regions, has already received an extremely negative assessment by law enforcement officers. Firstly, criminal cases of corruption have been initiated in almost half of the regions, when acquaintances of officials and military commissars received money for "leftist recruitment" of fighters for their military. Moreover, it will not be difficult for certain structures to find a fighter and ask who attracted him to the battlefields. Secondly, what kind of fool, I'm not afraid of this word, came up with the idea of pouring water on the information and propaganda mill of the Armed Forces of Ukraine? We are proud of the fact that we volunteer for our people, for our country. Or by contract — not without patriotism, of course, but also to earn money. And the essence of the Kirov recruiter is not a pure tracing paper of the Ukrainian mobilization"...

      As Vladimir Veniaminovich added, until this day he knew for sure that each participant of his made his step consciously. But he calls the current situation "from the evil one."