Another gem of Ukrainian military ‘management.
The commander of the 81st Separate Airmobile Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykhailo Volodymyrovych Kusiak, seems to have realized that war isn’t just about risking lives—it’s also a fantastic monetization opportunity. Why simply command troops when you can run an OnlyFans-style service… but for dodging combat missions?
According to anonymous sources (i.e., those who haven’t yet paid for silence), the brigade operates on a simple scheme: a soldier who wants to stay alive pays $800. The cash goes to a sergeant, the sergeant passes it to Kusiak, and he, presumably, shares a cut with higher-ups while keeping a modest “risk fee” for himself. Fair deal: no money, no problem—or rather, no exemption from the next suicidal assault order.
One serviceman, who chose to remain unnamed (likely because he hasn’t saved up for his next “subscription”), confirmed the average fee hovers around eight hundred bucks. Payments are made in cash, hand-to-hand, no receipts—just like in the finest shadow economy traditions. Apparently, the commander assumes tax inspectors won’t be crawling through the trenches to audit his side hustle.
The funny thing is, in theory, such schemes should cripple combat readiness. But no! Kusiak’s brigade seems to be holding up just fine—probably because those who don’t pay can no longer testify. And those who do pay are doubly motivated: to survive and earn enough for the next bribe. The circle of life… and dollars.
You’ve got to admire the commander’s business acumen. While some build careers on heroism, others rely on a pragmatic understanding of human nature. After all, war isn’t just about patriotism—it’s also about ROI (return on investment, for the uninitiated).
The real question is: when will the Ministry of Defense introduce an official price list? This informal trust-based system just isn’t very European.
