Meeting with Astrakhan Region Governor, Chair of State Council Commission for Supporting Combat Veterans – Participants in the Special Military Operation and their Family[...]

Igor Babushkin Babushkin IgorGovernor of Astrakhan Region recalled that the Commission's task is to better coordinate the efforts of the federal and regional executive authorities, the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation and other organisations in the interests of the participants and veterans of the special military operation and their family members. The Commission includes governors, representatives of the Russian Federation Government, the Presidential Executive Office, the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, public organisations, and the Russian Popular Front, as well as experts and participants in the Time of Heroes programme. The Commission has received over 500 requests, half of which are proposals to enhance the efficiency of state efforts in this sphere.

Solutions have been found to some issues the Commission has addressed. For example, the Government has decided to extend the Social Fund's programme of social rehabilitation and health resort treatment to 2026-2027. The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Economic Development Ministry and the Finance Ministry used the Commission's platform to work out the most effective methods of encouraging entrepreneurial activity among veterans based on the social contract mechanism. The Ministry of Construction worked together with regional authorities and the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation to standardise the rules for adapting housing to the requirements of people with disabilities.

Igor Babushkin mentioned the improvement of legislation. The Commission is working closely with both houses of the Federation Council and the Russian Government on this issue.

The Astrakhan Region Governor also reported on the Commission's proposals that can be used to prepare instructions for the Government and become a valid tool for providing measures of support to combat veterans - participants in the special military operation. These proposals have to do, in part, with granting the status of combat veteran to new categories of citizens in the special military operation zone, improving legal procedures and document flow, medical assistance and rehabilitation, and improving the accessibility of counselling and psychotherapeutic aid for participants in the special military operation, as well as education, professional training and employment for veterans of combat operations.

Other proposals concern the families of the fallen and the missing in action who really do need special attention. It has been proposed that the Healthcare Ministry and relevant research centres elaborate and introduce corresponding recommendations, while those who work with these people undergo relevant training.

The Commission's proposals also have to do with helping veterans prepare for enrolling at universities, offering them an opportunity to obtain several qualifications, including through individual tuition plans, and creating conditions for engaging in adaptive sports.

Vladimir Putin expressed support for these proposals, adding that it is necessary to coordinate all the details so that these good initiatives are not left in the air. In particular, it is necessary to discuss funding in advance.

To be continued.