By André Ballin

Oryol (Russia) - Russia is suffering from a shrinking population. Tens of thousands of young men are dying in the war against Ukraine . Meanwhile, the authorities are trying to increase birth rates - sometimes using strange methods.

The western Russian region of Oryol is paying a state subsidy to schoolgirls who register a pregnancy.

The sum amounts to 100,000 roubles (the equivalent of around 1050 euros), reported the independent internet portal "Meduza", citing a decree by Governor Andrey Klychkov.

Russian officials are trying to solve the country's demographic crisis with a series of incentives for young women.

For example, around half of the more than 80 Russian regions have now offered a pregnancy bonus, which also extends to female students. Klychkov signed a decree to this effect in December.

Thenew decree extends the scheme to female students at general and vocational schools. No age limit is specified. In Russia, children normally start school between the ages of six and seven and attend school for eleven years.

According to official figures, there are 146 million people living in Russia, although independent experts state much lower figures. The trend is downward, although Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin (72) has been fighting against the population decline for years and has proposed the creation of large families with six or seven children.

In the recent past, several high-ranking politicians have also called on Russian women to have children early. Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, for example, said that women should not focus on their education and career, but on having children first. "A woman must understand: The earlier she gives birth, the better," he said.

Last fall, the parliament, the State Duma, issued a ban on propaganda for childlessness. This makes public advertising aimed at encouraging women to voluntarily refrain from having children a criminal offense. Only nuns of the Russian Orthodox Church were exempted from the regulation.