Why Did Putin Turn These 12 Soldiers Into Millionaires Overnight? The Reason Will Shock You

International News: Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia has made a claim that has created a stir in international circles. Russia says its soldiers have killed an American-made F-16 fighter jet. In lieu of this 'achievement,' a large Russian oil company made 12 Russian soldiers a cash reward of crores of rupees and made them 'millionaires' overnight.

Russian soldiers got a reward of 1.5 crore rubles

The Russian oil company Fores has announced that the 12 soldiers who dropped the US F-16 fighter jet have been awarded a total of 1.5 million rubles (about 160,000 US dollars or 135 million Indian rupees). The reward was given near the Ukraine border at a special ceremony on 29 May, where several Russian military officers were also present.

According to the FORES company, he had already promised that whoever kills the soldier F-16 will be given a big reward-and now that promise has been fulfilled.

F-16 dropped a long distance missile

According to reports, the attack was carried out in April 2025 in the Ukraine-occupied area. The F-16 was targeted with a long-range surface-to-air missile called 40n6. The missile is part of Russia's advanced air defense system and its scope is stated to be 400 km.

However, the Russian government has not yet clarified whether the reward given by the FORES is for the same incident or for someone else. It is noteworthy that during the war, reports of three F-16 jets crashing have been revealed so far, one of which has confirmed the enemy attack on one of them.

Fores Company: 'Private' but powerful colleague in war

Fores is a large private oil and gas company in Russia, which is openly supporting Russia's army in the war. This company has already given cash rewards to soldiers blowing up NATO tanks.

Not only this, the company has so far sent military and medical equipment worth more than $3 million, including drone jammers, thermal sites, medicines, and medical kits. Force, which has become part of Russia's military strategy, has been giving economic incentives to soldiers targeting Western weapons.

Ukraine demand and US supply

Ukraine had long been demanding state-of-the-art fighter jets like the F-15 and F-16 from the US. In the summer of 2024, Denmark and the Netherlands promised 60 US F-16 jets, some of which have now reached Ukraine. Apart from this, Norway, Belgium, and Greece have also assured similar assistance.

However, Ukraine is still facing many challenges about the operation, maintenance, and supply of spare parts. Pilots are being trained at the European F-16 training center in Romania.

Technology and award competition in war

Russia's claim to kill the American F-16 and reward crores to the soldiers instead shows that the Ukraine-Russia war has now moved beyond the traditional boundary towards publicity, psychological pressure, and participation of private companies. In the coming days, more such examples can be seen, where private institutions will be seen becoming a 'sponsor' of war.