Russian soldier paid bonus for allegedly destroying Leopard tank in Ukraine

A Russian soldier has reportedly received a one million rouble (£9,316) reward from a private foundation for allegedly destroying a German-made Leopard tank in Ukraine – just days after the Russian defence ministry announced the bonus scheme.

In a video published by the Russian military, a soldier named Andrei Kravtsov, is seen sitting on a hospital bed and being presented with a certificate by three-time Olympic wrestling champion Alexander Karelin.

Russia's defence ministry has not said where and when the tank was destroyed, nor given details of why Kravtsov was in hospital – although, in the video, he appears to be missing his right hand.

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Ukraine is receiving hundreds of tanks from Nato nations – including UK Challenger 2s – as part of support for Kyiv's defence against Russian aggression.

Among the contingent of battle tanks supplied are the German-made Leopard 2 tanks, widely regarded as the best of their kind in the world.

On Friday (16 June), the Russian Defence Ministry announced bonus payments for soldiers who destroy German-made Leopard tanks and US-supplied armoured vehicles in Ukraine. 

It is part of a wider scheme, which the ministry claims has paid out individual rewards to more than 10,000 Russian servicemen since the war began nearly 16 months ago.