The article doesn't go into detail on that, so I just kinda guessed. I doubt that those "bribes" are only from bourgies since the demand to getting the fuck out is usually pretty high during war, and even some labour aristocracy folks (engineers, programmers, medics) could afford to go out. It's not some fantastic victory of socialism, but I prefer that over those same people getting conscripted to die in the front for nothing.

Though I could be wrong, are there ~~less trash~~ better sources than the Beeb on this that go deeper?