Russia paid Taliban $200,000 per killed US, coalition soldier, media investigation says

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-paid-afghan-militants-200-000-per-killed-us-coalition-soldier-media-investigation-says/Open link View original on sopuli.xyz

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Ciderpunk

lemmy.world

Didn’t we already know this? I remember this being a thing during trumps first term and him doing absolutely nothing because he would’ve had to admit Russia did a bad thing which he’s mysteriously incapable of doing for reasons beyond anyone’s comprehension…

credo reply

lemmy.world

Yes.

Original reporting from June 2020:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/us/politics/russia-afghanistan-bounties.html?unlocked_article_code=1.n04.7slB.0L20Ha8Ifziu&smid=url-share

DicJacobus reply

lemmy.world

We knew this, The GOP is controlled by a man who's subordinate to the Russian mob, and convinced everyone not to care

Aqarius reply

lemmy.world

We did, and it was equally ridiculous back then.

d00ery

lemmy.world

I don't doubt the Russians would pay for kills, but $200,000 per soldier killed seems very high!

I think the Russians could offer $20,000 and get a similar response considering the average monthly* salary in is $242 (US). - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Asian_countries_by_average_wage

Apparently Iran was paying $1,000 in 2010.

In 2010, Iran reportedly paid Taliban fighters $1,000 for each U.S. soldier they kill in Afghanistan (equivalent to $1,400 in 2023).

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_bounty_program#background

fishabel reply

discuss.online

Yeah for 200k they would have a line out the door. It has to be a typo.

Corkyskog reply

sh.itjust.works

I'm assuming they need proof? An ear, dog tags, something?

If so, you are going to have to do a lot of extra damage to a unit to obtain that proof.

undergroundoverground reply

lemmy.world

If you consider the price of equipment, food, training, transport etc. it sounds like a bargain to me.

I mean, the price of an American soldier.

d00ery reply

lemmy.world

Yeah, fair point, and add to that the price of training and supplying a Russian troop to kill that American soldier, $200k would be a good deal. But still the local salary is so low I think they could pay less.