Tochnyi
@tochnyi.info
Tochnyi is a collective project which aims to accurately report and discuss news and information relating to the Russian Federation’s illegal war in Ukraine.
Cracks will first show in the regions. Falling payouts and squeezed budgets put Russia’s recruitment model in peril.
Russia’s recruitment challenges won’t start in Moscow - but in provinces that can’t afford to meet recruitment targets. 10/11
Russia’s recruitment challenges won’t start in Moscow - but in provinces that can’t afford to meet recruitment targets. 10/11
November 30, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Cracks will first show in the regions. Falling payouts and squeezed budgets put Russia’s recruitment model in peril.
Russia’s recruitment challenges won’t start in Moscow - but in provinces that can’t afford to meet recruitment targets. 10/11
Russia’s recruitment challenges won’t start in Moscow - but in provinces that can’t afford to meet recruitment targets. 10/11
The Kremlin’s choices are all destructive:
– Seize more oligarch wealth
– Mobilise unwilling men
– Return to hybrid war
– Or accept “peace” and give up on their earlier war goals. 9/11
– Seize more oligarch wealth
– Mobilise unwilling men
– Return to hybrid war
– Or accept “peace” and give up on their earlier war goals. 9/11
November 30, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The Kremlin’s choices are all destructive:
– Seize more oligarch wealth
– Mobilise unwilling men
– Return to hybrid war
– Or accept “peace” and give up on their earlier war goals. 9/11
– Seize more oligarch wealth
– Mobilise unwilling men
– Return to hybrid war
– Or accept “peace” and give up on their earlier war goals. 9/11
Crucially, bonuses are currently being slashed: Bashkortostan ₽1.6m→₽1m, Yamalo-Nenets ₽3.1m→₽1.9m, Samara ₽3.6m→₽2.1m, Belgorod ₽3m→₽0.8m.
Some regions have suspended payments, others look set to follow. The recruitment machine is under threat and could break down. 8/11
Some regions have suspended payments, others look set to follow. The recruitment machine is under threat and could break down. 8/11
November 30, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Crucially, bonuses are currently being slashed: Bashkortostan ₽1.6m→₽1m, Yamalo-Nenets ₽3.1m→₽1.9m, Samara ₽3.6m→₽2.1m, Belgorod ₽3m→₽0.8m.
Some regions have suspended payments, others look set to follow. The recruitment machine is under threat and could break down. 8/11
Some regions have suspended payments, others look set to follow. The recruitment machine is under threat and could break down. 8/11
Regional bonuses of up to ₽3 million make “volunteering” irresistible. Regional budgets are now straining under this recruitment model. Despite being in the black in 2024, deficits in 2025 have reached ₽724.8 billion - a huge burden for provinces funding an illegal war. 7/11
November 30, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Regional bonuses of up to ₽3 million make “volunteering” irresistible. Regional budgets are now straining under this recruitment model. Despite being in the black in 2024, deficits in 2025 have reached ₽724.8 billion - a huge burden for provinces funding an illegal war. 7/11
Before the war, 3.5m Russians were unemployed and 17.8m lived below the poverty line. A 1.4m₽ sign-up bonus is life-changing. Poverty, especially in the regions, has been a key factor in keeping Russia’s army supplied for nearly four years. 6/11
November 30, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Before the war, 3.5m Russians were unemployed and 17.8m lived below the poverty line. A 1.4m₽ sign-up bonus is life-changing. Poverty, especially in the regions, has been a key factor in keeping Russia’s army supplied for nearly four years. 6/11
Unlike its earlier wars, Russia now fights with contract soldiers who signed up voluntarily. They’re signing up for cash to invade a neighbour and commit war crimes. This model rests on decades of inequality and poverty. 5/11
November 30, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Unlike its earlier wars, Russia now fights with contract soldiers who signed up voluntarily. They’re signing up for cash to invade a neighbour and commit war crimes. This model rests on decades of inequality and poverty. 5/11
Russian military pay isn’t life-changing. The real draw is the bonuses: 400k₽ (about 5,147 US dollars) from Moscow plus millions from regions. For “economically unproductive” Russians with no prospects, that’s hard to turn down. 4/11
November 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Russian military pay isn’t life-changing. The real draw is the bonuses: 400k₽ (about 5,147 US dollars) from Moscow plus millions from regions. For “economically unproductive” Russians with no prospects, that’s hard to turn down. 4/11
Russia’s centralised decision-making hides a crucial truth: its recruitment model relies on impoverished regions, where, along with the ideological motivation to kill Ukrainians, economic hardship drives enlistment. 3/11
November 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Russia’s centralised decision-making hides a crucial truth: its recruitment model relies on impoverished regions, where, along with the ideological motivation to kill Ukrainians, economic hardship drives enlistment. 3/11
Russia’s recruitment model relies on regional poverty and financial coercion. Life-changing sums maintain the flow of men into the military. If regional budgets cannot support recruitment, Moscow’s ability to pay men to kill and commit war crimes will be greatly reduced. 2/11
November 30, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Russia’s recruitment model relies on regional poverty and financial coercion. Life-changing sums maintain the flow of men into the military. If regional budgets cannot support recruitment, Moscow’s ability to pay men to kill and commit war crimes will be greatly reduced. 2/11
🧵The Unsustainable Cost of Russia’s Regional Recruitment Model - a new article from Tochnyi’s @Judas-Everett.bsky.social As regional budgets feel the strain, with many having posted significant deficits, the very system the Russian war machine runs on appears to be under threat. 1/11
November 30, 2025 at 3:52 PM
🧵The Unsustainable Cost of Russia’s Regional Recruitment Model - a new article from Tochnyi’s @Judas-Everett.bsky.social As regional budgets feel the strain, with many having posted significant deficits, the very system the Russian war machine runs on appears to be under threat. 1/11
3/ What’s next? Together with @warunitobserver.bsky.social we’re building a public, contribution-friendly platform for RU/UA military unit data - Our goal is to collect as much available data as possible about the units, their soldiers and their equipment
November 1, 2025 at 6:39 PM
3/ What’s next? Together with @warunitobserver.bsky.social we’re building a public, contribution-friendly platform for RU/UA military unit data - Our goal is to collect as much available data as possible about the units, their soldiers and their equipment
1/ This is the start of something we’ve been eager to show the public for a long time. Our project with @warunitobserver.bsky.social brings structured, sourced data on Russian Ground Forces into the open - and today we’re publishing the first slice on tochnyi.info 👇
November 1, 2025 at 6:39 PM
1/ This is the start of something we’ve been eager to show the public for a long time. Our project with @warunitobserver.bsky.social brings structured, sourced data on Russian Ground Forces into the open - and today we’re publishing the first slice on tochnyi.info 👇
When Russian mil-blogger Osvedomitell Alex released footage of the strike, he stated that Russian forces knowingly targeted an unoccupied civilian vehicle operated by a non-combatant, adding, “The next story will be sadder,” underscoring a deliberate intent to escalate harm. 2/3
October 28, 2025 at 12:07 PM
When Russian mil-blogger Osvedomitell Alex released footage of the strike, he stated that Russian forces knowingly targeted an unoccupied civilian vehicle operated by a non-combatant, adding, “The next story will be sadder,” underscoring a deliberate intent to escalate harm. 2/3
On September 14 2024, a 47-year-old bus driver sustained injuries in a Russian attack during the 'Human Safari' in Kherson. The attack was intended to inflict significantly greater harm than the single casualty depicted on our map. 1/3
October 28, 2025 at 12:07 PM
On September 14 2024, a 47-year-old bus driver sustained injuries in a Russian attack during the 'Human Safari' in Kherson. The attack was intended to inflict significantly greater harm than the single casualty depicted on our map. 1/3
Russian mil-blogger Alexander Sheptura, AKA Osvedomitell Alex, whose post a day later on 26th August revelled in the attack, falsely claimed the two men to not be civilians at all, in an attempt to dehumanize these victims. 2/3
October 26, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Russian mil-blogger Alexander Sheptura, AKA Osvedomitell Alex, whose post a day later on 26th August revelled in the attack, falsely claimed the two men to not be civilians at all, in an attempt to dehumanize these victims. 2/3
On the morning of August 25th 2024, a 24-year-old man and a 53-year-old petrol station worker were seriously wounded when a Russian drone dropped explosive ordnance onto a petrol station in the Tavriyskyi district of Kherson. 1/3
October 26, 2025 at 1:54 PM
On the morning of August 25th 2024, a 24-year-old man and a 53-year-old petrol station worker were seriously wounded when a Russian drone dropped explosive ordnance onto a petrol station in the Tavriyskyi district of Kherson. 1/3
Yesterday, the Russian military launched a massive rocket artillery attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson. At least two people were killed & fifteen others injured in the attack. This is just one of countless other war crimes committed by the Russian army in Kherson.
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October 25, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Yesterday, the Russian military launched a massive rocket artillery attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson. At least two people were killed & fifteen others injured in the attack. This is just one of countless other war crimes committed by the Russian army in Kherson.
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On December 1, 2024, Russian drone pilots attacked a shuttle bus carrying local volunteer Rimma Baranenko, a long-time volunteer in Kherson.
Ms Baranenko was killed, as were two women aged 68 and 48 and a man aged 55. Eight other passengers sustained injuries.
Ms Baranenko was killed, as were two women aged 68 and 48 and a man aged 55. Eight other passengers sustained injuries.
October 25, 2025 at 2:15 PM
On December 1, 2024, Russian drone pilots attacked a shuttle bus carrying local volunteer Rimma Baranenko, a long-time volunteer in Kherson.
Ms Baranenko was killed, as were two women aged 68 and 48 and a man aged 55. Eight other passengers sustained injuries.
Ms Baranenko was killed, as were two women aged 68 and 48 and a man aged 55. Eight other passengers sustained injuries.
Yesterday, the Ukrainian military carried out a coordinated attack on the Bryansk Chemical Plant — a key facility for the production of gunpowder, explosives & rocket fuel components. During the attack, British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles were used, among other means.
October 22, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Yesterday, the Ukrainian military carried out a coordinated attack on the Bryansk Chemical Plant — a key facility for the production of gunpowder, explosives & rocket fuel components. During the attack, British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles were used, among other means.
On 13th January 2024, a 54 year-old Ukrainian civilian was struck by a Russian drone in Beryslav Raion.
This is just one of countless atrocities committed by the Russian army in Kherson, during their ongoing campaign known as the 'Human Safari'.
This is just one of countless atrocities committed by the Russian army in Kherson, during their ongoing campaign known as the 'Human Safari'.
October 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
On 13th January 2024, a 54 year-old Ukrainian civilian was struck by a Russian drone in Beryslav Raion.
This is just one of countless atrocities committed by the Russian army in Kherson, during their ongoing campaign known as the 'Human Safari'.
This is just one of countless atrocities committed by the Russian army in Kherson, during their ongoing campaign known as the 'Human Safari'.
On the 2nd of September 2024, the Russian military deliberately targeted an explosive device from a drone at a civilian car driving in the suburbs of Kherson. As a result, an older couple — both civilians — were seriously injured at first.
Geolocation: 46.682151, 32.699309
Geolocation: 46.682151, 32.699309
October 11, 2025 at 10:56 AM
On the 2nd of September 2024, the Russian military deliberately targeted an explosive device from a drone at a civilian car driving in the suburbs of Kherson. As a result, an older couple — both civilians — were seriously injured at first.
Geolocation: 46.682151, 32.699309
Geolocation: 46.682151, 32.699309
Join our latest “Tochnyi Weekly” in about two hours (21:00 Kyiv time), when we discuss various news with @josephthomason.tochnyi.info, Germany's assistance (briefly) with @deaidua.org, Russia's economy with @delfoo.bsky.social and other topics. As always, we appreciate your questions during Q&A!
October 5, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Join our latest “Tochnyi Weekly” in about two hours (21:00 Kyiv time), when we discuss various news with @josephthomason.tochnyi.info, Germany's assistance (briefly) with @deaidua.org, Russia's economy with @delfoo.bsky.social and other topics. As always, we appreciate your questions during Q&A!
On the 7th of January 2024, Russian troops shelled different parts of Kherson, hitting a residential building in the process. One woman lost her life in the shelling, while another one was injured. This is just one of countless atrocities committed by the Russian army in Kherson.
October 3, 2025 at 10:16 AM
On the 7th of January 2024, Russian troops shelled different parts of Kherson, hitting a residential building in the process. One woman lost her life in the shelling, while another one was injured. This is just one of countless atrocities committed by the Russian army in Kherson.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to @thestudyofwar.bsky.social for picking up on our reporting on the Russian attacks on peaceful civilians in Kherson in their September 29th report. It is essential that we keep drawing attention to this subject.
October 1, 2025 at 10:39 AM
We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to @thestudyofwar.bsky.social for picking up on our reporting on the Russian attacks on peaceful civilians in Kherson in their September 29th report. It is essential that we keep drawing attention to this subject.
Join our latest “Tochnyi Weekly” in about 15 minutes (21:00 Kyiv time), when we discuss the fuel shortages in Russia and other news, our newly published “Human Safari” map and other subjects.
Together with @josephthomason.tochnyi.info, @delfoo.bsky.social, @deaidua.org and more.
Together with @josephthomason.tochnyi.info, @delfoo.bsky.social, @deaidua.org and more.
September 28, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Join our latest “Tochnyi Weekly” in about 15 minutes (21:00 Kyiv time), when we discuss the fuel shortages in Russia and other news, our newly published “Human Safari” map and other subjects.
Together with @josephthomason.tochnyi.info, @delfoo.bsky.social, @deaidua.org and more.
Together with @josephthomason.tochnyi.info, @delfoo.bsky.social, @deaidua.org and more.