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I'm Maxim Polyakov, a correspondent for the online magazine '7x7'.

In August 2024, Ukrainian soldiers crossed the Russian border, seizing over 100 settlements in Kursk Oblast. In response, new military units called BARS were formed in Kursk and neighboring Belgorod and Bryansk regions. Composed of both ordinary citizens and local officials, these squads guard strategic locations, such as bridges and industrial sites, assist the Russian army at checkpoints, and even train to shoot down Ukrainian drones. In this newsletter, I’ll outline the structure of these units and discuss whether they might be deployed to the war zone.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Why the Authorities Created BARS Units

In Russian, the acronym BARS stands for the “Country’s Army Combat Reserve” and also alludes to the word “bars” (meaning “snow leopard”). The government publication Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported that regional authorities created these units due to ongoing shelling of border areas and the “growing threat of attacks from Ukraine.”

In Kursk Oblast, members of the “BARS-Kursk” division are responsible for security in eight districts where some residents remain despite evacuations. They also guard checkpoints and maintain order.

In Belgorod Oblast, authorities and military personnel have tasked BARS units with guarding vital infrastructure, such as seven key bridges, and combating drones—one of which they reportedly shot down. Additionally, they organize evacuations, uphold public order, and work with construction brigades to repair homes damaged by shelling.

In Bryansk Oblast, a BARS squad guards “critically important” sites (the specifics of which have not been disclosed) and protects civilians.

“BARS units mainly perform supplementary tasks, such as securing rear checkpoints, monitoring for sabotage and reconnaissance groups, guarding strategic sites, and other duties that free up professional soldiers for frontline combat,” says Kirill Mikhailov, a military analyst with the Conflict Intelligence Team.

Conditions and Benefits For BARS Members

BARS units accept individuals aged 18 to 65 without health restrictions. Volunteers undergo three weeks of combat and medical training, after which commanders assign them to tasks. Representatives of a military enlistment office in Kursk Oblast told 7x7 that BARS members are entitled to a 3 million ruble compensation in the event of an injury on duty. They will also receive combat veteran status, and their families will have the same privileges as those of participants in the war in Ukraine.

In Belgorod Oblast, BARS members will earn 80,000 rubles per month, while in Bryansk Oblast, the monthly rate is set at 40,000 rubles. Those who sign an annual contract are eligible for a one-time payment of 300,000 rubles, or half that amount for a six-month contract. If a volunteer decides to terminate the contract early, they must return the full payment.

Journalist and regional politics expert Andrey Pertsev believes that the relatively high payouts in Bryansk Oblast are due to the region’s comparatively calm conditions.

"Belgorod has faced shelling and raids by the Russian Volunteer Corps for a long time, while Bryansk has been more removed from the war. Its residents need extra motivation [in the form of payouts]," Pertsev explains.

Why Officials Are Massively Joining BARS

Deputies and officials from Belgorod Oblast have been joining the BARS-Belgorod division since its early days. Two deputy governors, Rustem Zuinullin and Alexander Lorents, along with Gubkinsky District Head Mikhail Lobaznov and Krasnogvardeysky District Head Galina Rudenko—the first woman among BARS ranks—have enlisted as volunteers. Starooskolsky District Head Andrey Chesnokov was unable to join due to health restrictions, though seven of his administration’s officials signed contracts with BARS, as did seven from the Chernyansky District. Belgorod Oblast Duma Deputy Sergey Popov also joined, along with five staff members from the Gubkinsky District. All retain their positions.

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov praised the officials for joining BARS while also lamenting staff shortages in local administrations. Political journalist Andrey Pertsev sees this influx as a PR effort meant to inspire local residents to follow suit.

Gladkov regularly posts videos highlighting officials joining BARS, and local TV channels frequently feature their stories. The speakers  in these segments describe service in BARS as an “act of bravery” and encourage others to see them as role models.

“In theory, if there were free elections, BARS could attract popular officials and deputies. However, without elections, even if officials are known, public sentiment toward them is often indifferent or negative,” Pertsev told 7x7.

Gladkov’s followers on social media criticized officials for this sudden display of patriotism. Many believe the “administrative elite” is joining BARS primarily to enhance their public image and secure military benefits, expecting to return to their positions while ordinary citizens will keep fighting. Residents also question whether these “desk soldiers” can handle real responsibilities in an emergency, commenting, “They won’t withstand real combat” on the governor’s page.

Some residents suggested sending officials to the frontlines in Ukraine and using their salaries to procure drones. 

Criticism about BARS is accompanied by complaints about trash collection, which in Belgorod Oblast has been delayed for weeks, even in the capital.

Exclusive Squads

Some individuals seeking to join BARS have been refused by military enlistment offices. For example, Belgorod Oblast resident Yelena Bondareva applied several times and was told that they “do not enlist women yet.” However, considering the high-profile examples of women in BARS publicized by Gladkov, this statement seems misleading.

“Just five days ago, I was summoned to a military enlistment office, and they firmly stated: ‘BARS does not enlist women!!!’ And then you are astonished to find out that they do, but only the elite!!! This has left a bad taste in my mouth,” cosmetologist Irina Lunina wrote in a comment under one of Gladkov’s posts.

A military enlistment office in Kursk Oblast informed 7x7 that they only enlist women with medical qualifications.

Among those interested in joining BARS are convicts and both former and current participants in the war in Ukraine. Active military personnel have inquired whether they can leave the army to serve in a regional unit. Some asked if individuals with missing limbs or prosthetics are accepted. One of Gladkov’s followers shared that her son, who fought with Wagner PMC and lost his leg, is struggling to find a job. He attempted to apply to BARS but was refused.

“When they needed him, they completely overlooked the fact that he had not even served in the army, but now what? There must be many people like him. My son now wants to go to Africa, where he is needed and where they don’t care about his prosthetics,” the woman wrote.

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