Russian firms shun Ukraine war volunteers despite state push
Russian businesses are showing significant reluctance to hire veterans returning from the war in Ukraine, particularly those who volunteered for frontline service. The trend highlights a sharp divide between the Kremlin's public praise of returning soldiers and the reality of the domestic labor market.
Speaking at a Strategic Development Council meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that authorities must prepare for the return of combatants, insisting they must be integrated into the workforce.
Evidence of a hiring penalty
A 2025 field experiment revealed that volunteering for the war directly harms a candidate's employment prospects. Researchers sent 60 pairs of identical fictitious resumes to job openings on leading Russian hiring platforms HeadHunter and SuperJob.
The profiles shared the same age, education, and professional background, differing only in military record. Candidates listing mandatory military service received a 55% positive response rate, while those listing voluntary contract service in Ukraine achieved only 36.7%.
"The conclusion is evident," noted study author and mental health specialist Sergei Alexeev in the Journal of Peace Research. He explained that voluntary war participation reduces employer interest rather than enhancing it, contradicting official state rhetoric.
Corporate hesitation and mandatory quotas
The reluctance is most pronounced in Moscow and across the retail trade sector. Alexeev noted that employers may fear psychological trauma, anticipate disciplinary issues, worry about reputational risks, or simply seek detachment from the conflict.
Following heavy losses among professional soldiers during the initial 2022 invasion, Moscow has relied on mobilized men, private military companies, prison recruits, and voluntary contract soldiers to sustain its forces. Former President Dmitry Medvedev claimed the military enlists at least 30,000 contract personnel each month.
To force integration, the State Duma is currently considering legislation mandating a 2% to 4% hiring quota for war veterans across domestic companies. While federal requirements are pending, more than 30 Russian regions have already instituted local quotas.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
