The State Fund “Defenders of the Fatherland” has proposed significant enhancements to support for Special Military Operation (SVO) veterans and their families. These include increased monthly payments and expanded assistance for those severely wounded. The Cabinet of Ministers has also submitted a budget draft to the State Duma, earmarking substantial funds for SVO participants and their relatives.
Key Discussions and Strategic Proposals
Alexey Dyumin, Presidential Aide and Secretary of the State Council for SVO Participant Support, announced that existing mechanisms for veteran support would undergo revision. He underscored the anticipated substantial increase in the veteran population over time, emphasizing the need for comprehensive regulation of all related issues to ensure adequate assistance.
The State Council thoroughly reviewed forty proposals focused on critical aspects of veteran welfare. Igor Babushkin, Governor of Astrakhan Region and Chairman of the State Council Commission, detailed these discussions, which covered measures for social integration, comprehensive medical and psychological rehabilitation, robust employment assistance, and access to educational opportunities for veterans and their families.
Regional Initiatives and the “One-Window” Principle
Andrey Vorobyov, Governor of Moscow Region, highlighted the effectiveness of the “one-window” principle now implemented nationwide, which streamlines access to various services for veterans. This system, established in collaboration with the “Defenders of the Fatherland” fund, delivers approximately 40 federal and 35 regional services through multifunctional centers (MFCs). Moscow Region itself operates three specialized centers:
- The Meshcheryakov Center in Sergiyev Posad: Specializes in modern rehabilitation methods, psychological aid, adaptation strategies, and employment opportunities for veterans suffering from vision or hearing loss.
- The Yaseni Center and the Kolomna Center: Focus on advanced prosthetics and adaptation programs, aimed at helping veterans regain confidence and secure meaningful employment after physical trauma.
Governor of Moscow Region
“This system is being built in conjunction with the `Defenders of the Fatherland` fund. The signed agreement enables regions to provide all necessary services through MFCs—this includes about 40 federal services, and each region has its own set of benefits or support for families and soldiers, totaling around 35 additional services. In the Moscow Region, three large specialized centers are operational. The Meshcheryakov Center in Sergiyev Posad offers the most modern methods, psychological assistance, adaptation, and potential employment for those who have lost sight or hearing. The second is the `Yaseni` Center, and Kolomna is the third center. There, the focus is on prosthetics and adaptation, so that a person who has received a prosthesis can feel confident. And then, again, the key is their employment.”
Further bolstering regional efforts, the “Ogonyok” enterprise in Moscow Region actively participates in veteran rehabilitation, including the provision of various technical aids. Novosibirsk has introduced a special rehabilitation certificate, granting access to a two-week inpatient stay, employment support, social services, and mobility aids (such as canes, crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs), in addition to cultural and sports activities.
Pavel Malkov, Governor of Ryazan Region, shared details about their “Sosnovy Bor” rehabilitation center:
Governor of Ryazan Region
“Perhaps the most interesting practice to highlight is our `Sosnovy Bor` rehabilitation center. We began creating it when the special military operation started, fully profiling it for the rehabilitation of soldiers. Firstly, it offers only family rehabilitation—together with loved ones, wives, children, parents. An individual rehabilitation program is selected for each family member. Secondly, we offer absolutely all medical services there, at the most modern level available today. We have gathered the best practices, methods of recovery, methods of diagnosis and treatment, including psychological and psychiatric rehabilitation. That is, every soldier, upon arrival, immediately undergoes a consultation not only with a therapist but also with a psychologist. And then, accordingly, a recovery program is built. Plus, adaptive sports are now seriously developing there; essentially, a center for adaptive sports has already been created and continues to grow.”
Financial and Social Security Enhancements
The State Fund “Defenders of the Fatherland” has advocated for the indexation of veteran payments, which currently stand at 4,500 rubles per month. Anna Tsivileva, Deputy Defense Minister and Chairwoman of the State Fund, confirmed that discussions also included expanded assistance for severely injured SVO participants from security forces. She further highlighted comprehensive support for veterans` wives, offering them free additional education and employment assistance. This support is crucial for those re-entering the workforce or requiring flexible work arrangements due to childcare responsibilities. The fund also extends vital aid to widows and children of SVO participants, acknowledging their needs.
Deputy Defense Minister and Chairwoman of the State Fund “Defenders of the Fatherland”
“For the wives of Special Military Operation participants, there are also preferential opportunities when they have the right to receive additional education free of charge, when we help them with employment, understanding that, for example, someone lost their qualifications while raising young children, and now they need to resume their work activities—either to do this through some preferential direction, or to take up a part-time job because there are still young children. And here, of course, the `Defenders of the Fatherland` fund provides assistance, including to widows, of course, and children of Special Military Operation participants. Therefore, these programs already exist for us.”
Budgetary Commitments for Veteran Support
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin affirmed that the Cabinet had submitted a draft surplus budget for the Social Fund to the State Duma. This robust budget allocates nearly 60 trillion rubles over the next three years for various expenditures, crucially including comprehensive support measures for SVO veterans and their families, underscoring a long-term commitment to their well-being.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth