President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a decree that gives veteran status to Russian soldiers who participated in military operations in Syria. The document was published on the government’s legal information portal.
Russian citizens sent to perform special military tasks in Syria since September last year will be officially termed veterans once they have served their terms, the document read.
The soldiers will obtain the right to the social support granted to all veterans under Russian law.
The law, prepared by the Russian Defense Ministry on Putin’s initiative, was approved by the Russian State Duma last month, the RBC news agency reported.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
