The State Duma equated the inhabitants of the besieged Stalingrad to WWII veterans

State Duma deputies adopted in the second and third readings a government bill equating the inhabitants of besieged Stalingrad with veterans of the Great Patriotic War, follows from materials Duma base.

In accordance with the adopted law, persons awarded with the sign “Inhabitant of besieged Stalingrad” will be classified as veterans of the Great Patriotic War, which means that appropriate legal guarantees of social protection will be established for them. This sign was awarded to citizens who during the Battle of Stalingrad from August 23, 1942 to February 2, 1943 were in the city.

Now they will be able to receive pension benefits, the right to a monthly cash payment, the provision of housing at the expense of the federal budget, if necessary, to improve their living conditions, the provision of prostheses, etc.

As noted in the explanatory note to the bill, the innovations will affect 3,997 people, and the implementation of the law will require the allocation of additional funds from the federal budget. In 2023, 611.6 million rubles will be required, in 2024 – 639.6 million rubles, and in 2025 – 667.1 million rubles.

Amendments to provide residents of besieged Stalingrad with the same benefits that veterans of the Great Patriotic War receive were developed by the Russian government on behalf of President Vladimir Putin, informed in mid-March, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. February 2 this year marked the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet troops in the Battle of Stalingrad.

Earlier in his video message on the occasion of Defender of the Fatherland Day, Putin noted the exploits of veterans of the Great Patriotic War and stated that the current generation of Russian soldiers and officers “preserves and enhances the military traditions of their grandfathers and great-grandfathers.” Putin also congratulated military personnel, volunteers and conscripts on the holiday who are participating in the military special operation in Ukraine and “heroically fighting neo-Nazism”, “protecting our people in our historical territories.”