Russia Pays Up to $4,000 for Trench Diggers Amid Kursk Crisis
Russian job portals are currently advertising positions for trench digging work in Kursk Oblast as Ukrainian forces continue to make advances in the region. Reports indicate that since Ukraine’s cross border operation began on August 6, Russian authorities have been seeking workers to construct fortifications along the border.
The job advertisements for “general workers” in Kursk Oblast offer pay rates between 150,000 and 371,000 rubles, which translates to approximately $1,600 to $4,000. This pay scale reflects the urgency of the situation as Ukrainian troops push further into the region.
By August 13, Ukrainian forces had reportedly gained control of 74 settlements in Kursk Oblast. In response to this, there have been reports of Russian personnel digging trenches near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) as part of preparations to counter the Ukrainian advance.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia has been working on reinforcing its border fortifications. However, the ISW noted that these defenses have been insufficient due to a lack of manpower and equipment. The sparsely manned fortifications have struggled to prevent Ukrainian gains, suggesting that Russia will need to commit more resources to secure the border.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that Ukraine’s incursion aims to prevent Russia from sending reinforcements to the front lines in Donetsk Oblast. The offensive also seeks to disrupt Russian logistics and counter cross-border attacks, as Ukraine refrains from using long-range strikes due to restrictions imposed by international partners.
