Russia is promising prisoners a $31,000 payout if they get injured, soldier says. It's likelier than they realize.

• Russia is offering lavish pay to convicts to fight in Ukraine, according to a new report.
• It's the same recruitment gambit used by the now-dormant Wagner Group.
• But these "Storm-Z" units are thrust into a "meat grinder" with little prep, a soldier said. 

Russia is paying convicts as much as $2,000 a month if they fight in Ukraine, with a promise $31,000 if they are injured, a soldier said.

However, the convict-turned-fighter said he and others were given little warning of how horrific the combat would be.

The remarks were made by a Russian "Storm Z" soldier — the unofficial designation for units often made of formerly incarcerated fighters.