Paying the ‘labor’ of Donbas militants costs $3 millions per day

Paying the ‘labor’ of Donbas militants costs $3 millions per day

Maintaining the Donetsk militants costs about $3 million per day. This is written by Yevheniia Pidhaiana in Forbes.

According to an approximate assessment by Olena (Aleksii) Melnyk, director of the Programs for Foreign Policy and International Security at the Razumkov Center, about 5000 foreign “tourists” crossed the border. Among them were kadyrtsy, Cossacks, mercenaries, employees of Crimean “Alfa” and “Berkut.” Local separatists should be added to their number.

“Their composition is very heterogeneous. A territory adjacent to Russia is packed with public organizations that have been sponsored by the Russian side for years,” says Dmitry Zolotukhin, ideologue of the Razvedka.in.ua project. “Also to be considered are semi-criminal organizations (security structures) led by local “authorities.” They may participate in the conflict either voluntarily or under the orders of the owners of such security firms.”

According to Anton Herashchenko, adviser to the Ukrainian interior minister, last week on the east there were already ‘up to 10 000’ militants. In an interview with Forbes this week, Georgiy Usikhin, head of the Ukrainian Association of Gun Owners, estimated the number of militants at 15 000-20 000.

In the opinion of Stanislav Rechynsky, adviser to the interior minister, they are paid about $300 per day. However, the pay for a Kadyr trainer and a local hooligan-militiaman differs significantly. Also, the rates for ordinary fighters and their commanders obviously differ.

Former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Mykola Malomuzh believes Ihor Girkin (callsign “Strelok”) receives several tens of thousands of dollars per month. “I think corruption among the militants is also present. Probably not all money reaches ordinary fighters,” Melnyk says.

If we assume, on average, that the militias are credited with about $200, then maintaining the current 15 000 militants costs $3 million per day. According to approximate calculations, since the beginning of April, considering the growing number of militia, they have been paid at least $45 million. To this sum we must add bonuses for kidnappings, killings, shot-down helicopters and other “benefits” in the name of the cause.

According to an expert who wished to remain unnamed, mercenaries begin “work” only after receiving an advance. Fears are not unfounded. “All participants in combat actions on the side of the separatists are outside the law,” says Melnyk. They can do anything with them, including eliminating their own people. It is worth noting that many local militiamen, unlike their Russian “colleagues,” often go into battle without body armor. After this, video of “the barbarically shot peaceful protesters” is widely broadcast on Russian channels.

Another item of expense is the payment of so-called protesters. According to Dmitry Tymchuk, coordinator of the Information Resistance Group, some local residents who remained unemployed do not shun this method of earning. The rates vary: from 400 hryvnias per blockading troops to 1000 hryvnias for participating in a “human shield.”

Very roughly, it is estimated that during the conflict in the east at least 10 000 men were involved. For free — for the idea — up to 20% of them appeared at rallies. Considering the minimum quoted sums, the “labor” of the protesters cost about $300 000.

Our Money