Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that extends the status of war veterans in what he considers a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
The document was published today on the official legal information portal.
The law was presented by a group of senators and deputies last Tuesday and the following day the State Duma (Lower House) and the Federation Council (Senate) unanimously approved it.
The measure gives soldiers participating in a special operation the right to monthly payments and tax benefits, free travel on trains, off-duty medical care and access to sanatorium and spa services.
Benefits are also granted for the payment of public services and other protection measures.
The law equates soldiers fighting in Ukraine with veterans from Afghanistan and Syria, among others.
On February 24, Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine that killed at least 1,081 civilians, including 93 children, and injured 1,707, including 120 minors, and caused the flight of 10 million people. , of which 3.7 million went to neighboring countries, according to the latest UN data, which warns that the real number of civilian casualties is much higher.
According to the United Nations, around 13 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine.
The Russian invasion was condemned by the international community in general, which responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and reinforcing economic and political sanctions on Moscow.
Source: with agencies