Veterans' law: the status was proposed to extend to the military in the Kursk region

On March 18, 2025, the State Duma Committee on Labor, Social Policy and Veterans' Affairs recommended that the chamber adopt in the first reading a government bill extending the status of veterans and combat invalids to military personnel performing combat missions in the Kursk region. Earlier it became known that participants in a special military operation (SVO) can receive the status of combat veterans on the basis of documents on wounds or awards and regardless of the availability of a contract, while the status was extended to volunteers. Izvestia found out what kind of help and protection military veterans can count on.

The status of a veteran and a disabled combatant for the defenders of the Kursk region

The State Duma Committee on Labor, Social Policy and Veterans' Affairs recommended that the chamber adopt in the first reading a government bill extending the status of combat veterans to military personnel performing combat missions in the Kursk region. It will be reviewed on March 19.

The status of a combat veteran is proposed to be assigned to military personnel who performed tasks to repel an armed invasion of the territory of the Russian Federation, as well as those who reflected provocations on the border and territories of subjects adjacent to the areas of a special military operation.

It is also proposed to extend the status of combat veterans to law enforcement and law enforcement personnel who, along with the Armed Forces, repelled an armed invasion of Russian territory and resisted provocations in its border territories.

It is proposed to assign the status of a disabled person to those who have been wounded, concussed, maimed or sick while performing combat missions.

What is given the status of a combat veteran for?

Starting from 2024, participants in the CBO will be awarded the status of a combat veteran, regardless of whether they have a contract. Another reason for awarding this status will be information about awards: a copy of the certificate or documents indicating the reasons for the award. The relevant law was amended by order of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Earlier, on June 22, 2022, the State Duma, with the support of the head of state, adopted a law according to which participants in a special operation in Ukraine received the status of combat veterans. Also, border guards and civilian personnel participating in the military are considered veterans, and now those who have signed up as volunteers. In turn, wounded volunteers can claim the status of a combat disabled person.

The procedure for obtaining a certificate of participation in a special military operation has been simplified, now it can be done through the portal of public services or the IFC. At the same time, according to Federal Law No. 5-FZ dated January 12, 1995 "On Veterans", the granting of veteran status is carried out automatically, without the need to submit an application.

What benefits do combat veterans receive?

Combat veterans and their family members will be compensated for 50% of the payment for housing and communal services. We are talking about services for the management of an apartment building, contributions for capital repairs and repairs of common property in an apartment building. In addition, veterans do not pay property taxes, whether it is an apartment, a house, or a garage. However, the privilege is provided only for one type of property in each category, that is, for one apartment, one house and one garage at the same time.

Veterans in need of better housing conditions who registered before January 1, 2005, are entitled to a lump sum payment for the purchase of housing or the construction of a house.

Veterans are relieved of the obligation to pay land tax on a six-hundred-acre plot. Payments appear only on larger plots of land.

In the future, at work, combat veterans receive the right to take a vacation at a convenient time for them. By the way, similar vacation benefits are provided by law to the wives of military personnel.: They have the right to rest on dates that coincide with their husband's vacation. In addition, former military personnel are entitled to 35 days of additional leave without pay.

A pleasant bonus is the opportunity to receive professional training or additional education at the expense of the employer.

As for medical care, veterans and invalids of military operations have the right to extraordinary care in various organizations, and upon retirement they can be served in the same military clinics, hospitals and hospitals to which they were attached during their days of service. Soldiers are also provided with free prosthetics or compensation for self—purchased dentures (with the exception of dentures).

Free or reduced-price travel on public transport and commuter trains for veterans is not established at the federal level, but it is valid in most regions. In addition, once a year, veterans can get to the sanatorium and back for free.

To apply for payments and benefits to the participants of the SVO, they must contact the local social protection authorities, military commissariats, or write an application through Gosuslugi. The payment processing time may vary, but usually does not exceed 30 days from the date of submission of all necessary documents.

What payments and pensions are due to combat veterans

In accordance with Decree No. 98 of the President of the Russian Federation dated 03/05/2022 "On additional social guarantees for military personnel, persons serving in the National Guard of the Russian Federation, and their family members," injured members of the military receive a one-time payment of 3 million rubles for serious injury. After the disability is established, they receive another 1 million rubles. A payment of 1 million rubles is due for a moderate injury and 100 thousand rubles for a minor injury.

If a member of the SVO is declared unfit for further service due to injury, he is paid a one-time allowance, its amount from January 1, 2025 is 3,439,562 rubles.

A monthly monetary compensation is also awarded if disability is established due to injuries sustained during service.

Antonina Sharkova, a professor at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, explained to RIA Novosti that it does not depend on the time when the disability occurred, the place of work after service, or other types of pensions and payments received.

The amount of monthly monetary compensation, according to the expert, is:

• disabled persons of group I — 22,908 rubles;
• disabled persons of group II — 11,454 rubles;
• disabled persons of group III — 4581.72 rubles.

Fighters are entitled to a state pension in the amount of:

• 23,069 rubles . for the disabled of group I;
• 19,224 rubles . for the disabled of group II;
• 13,457 rubles . for the disabled of the III group.
• Also, the fighters are entitled to a monthly disability payment in the amount of 7,605.52 rubles, it is assigned without appeal.

Upon joining the reserve, military personnel with the status of a combat veteran will receive a one-time allowance. Its size depends on the length of service:

• with a service life of less than 20 years — two salaries in cash;
• 20 years or more — seven salaries.

Combat veterans receive a monthly supplement. Starting from February 2025, the amount is 4,489 rubles. They are also entitled to free travel, vouchers to sanatoriums twice a year and free medicines. There is an option to cancel these benefits and increase the amount of the monthly allowance. The pension supplement for veterans is 32% in addition to the amount of the insurance or social pension.

Another initiative protected combat payments due to participants in a special military operation from being written off by creditors.

In addition, there are payments to military personnel who are presented with state awards and who have received encouragement from the President or the government.

The Heroes of Russia are paid 89,675 rubles a month.

Since January 1, 2025, an additional pension payment has been introduced for holders of the Order of St. George and the insignia of the Order of St. George of all four degrees. The amount of payments to military personnel who have been awarded the Order of St. George of the first degree or the insignia of the Order of St. George of all four degrees will amount to 415% of the social pension amount.

What laws protect the rights of combat veterans

The full list of persons who can count on the status of a veteran, as well as a list of benefits for them, are fixed in Federal Law No. 5-FZ dated January 12, 1995 "On Veterans". It is supplemented by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 12/19/2003 No. 763 "On the certificate of a combat veteran" and other regulations.

Benefits for participants in military operations are regulated by Federal Law No. 5-FZ, which is called "On Veterans." Social support for former military personnel is regulated by art. 16, and monthly payments — art. 23.1 of the same law.

Tax benefits are referred to in Articles 391 and 407 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, and pensions are defined in Article 45 of Law No. 4468-I of February 12, 1993.

In addition, regions can set their own measures to support combat veterans. For example, in Moscow, veterans are entitled to compensation for telephone services, and in St. Petersburg, they are entitled to receive a monthly cash payment of 1,018 rubles, regardless of whether they have a job or income.

What is expected of veterans' families

Parents and minor children of veterans, as well as spouses who did not remarry in the event of his death, are also entitled to benefits. In addition, other family members can receive support measures if they are disabled and have been dependent on a veteran.

Thus, widows of veterans have the right to emergency medical care and social services, vouchers to sanatoriums, treatment in departmental hospitals and monthly payments.