

Not true. The sign up bonuses go to their next of kin. Russia is legitimately paying it out.
There are entire regions that have regeared their local economies to depend on these payouts. Because it’s mostly underdeveloped regions signing up, this has become the most bizarre and macabre investment program in the world. Here’s an excellent video on the topic.
Not the only time. Another example is the West Africa Squadron, where a small part of the British Navy tried to block all slave traffic coming out of West Africa.
The UK has done some insanely horrific things, but it does have some legitimate bright spots in there.