Militiamen of Donbass and PMC fighters equated with veterans of special operations

28.04.2023, Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree expanding the list of candidates for the status of a combat veteran and invalid. The decree was published on April 28 on the portal of legal information.

Now people who conclude contracts with organizations that assist the Russian Armed Forces in the course of special operations will be able to claim veteran status. This includes employees of private military companies, said Yaroslav Nilov, head of the State Duma Committee on Labor, Social Policy and Veterans Affairs.

Veterans will also be considered militiamen of Donbass, who fought since May 11, 2014. All listed citizens equally risked their lives and defended the country during special operations, the law’s authors explained.

On September 21, 2022, President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization in Russia. He said that the West had launched a war to destroy Russia and was using Nazi Ukraine to wage it. The response to this threat will require the consolidation of the efforts of the entire society.

As part of the partial mobilization, it was planned to conscript 300,000 people who had already served in the armed forces and had combat experience. The military assured that all conscripts would receive new training.

President Putin especially emphasized the need for measures to support servicemen and their families. This should become the responsibility of the authorities at all levels, the president said.

Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency