To those who helped Russia: the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation awarded combat veteran certificates to fighters of the Wagner PMC

A solemn ceremony of presenting combat veteran certificates to former fighters of the Wagner PMC took place at the Unified Support Center in Moscow. 32 “musicians” gathered in the spacious hall of the center’s library, who did their best to help their colleagues from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Chairman of the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation Anna Tsivileva spoke about the procedure for issuing combat veteran certificates and emphasized that the foundation takes advantage of every opportunity to further support heroes.

“We help collect sets of documents that the Foundation submits to the Ministry of Defense on a weekly basis. As part of the agreement, the Ministry transfers the finished certificates to the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation for presentation at regional branches. To further support North Military District veterans and relatives of those killed, we, together with Promsvyazbank, as part of a cooperation agreement, have developed a loyalty card. I am sure that you will highly appreciate the advantages of this card and will use it on an ongoing basis,” Tsivileva said.

She added that, within the framework of a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, a positive decision was made to issue 452 combat veteran certificates to fighters of the Wagner PMC. In total, 3,000 sets of documents from PMC employees were transferred to the commission of the Russian Ministry of Defense. They are under consideration by the department, but work on accepting applications continues. It is important that justice is restored and all SVO fighters can benefit from the help of the state.

“We will provide the SVO fighters with all social assistance measures: prosthetics, sanatorium treatment, necessary medications, refurbishment of premises if a person has become disabled. Issues of retraining, education, employment – they are in the circle of concern of the fund. In addition, we care about the families of our fallen soldiers. We are involved in the education and solving everyday issues of their children. We help mothers and wives. We are open in all regions of Russia,” Tsivileva said.

The event was also attended by State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia Viktor Evtukhov and Senior Vice President – Director for External Relations of Promsvyazbank PJSC Vera Podguzova, Deputy Head of the Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Moscow Vladimir Filippov, Hero of Russia, State Duma deputy, Colonel General of the Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Shamanov and Vice Admiral Nikolai Mikheev.

The “Defenders of the Fatherland” loyalty card was developed jointly with one of the largest state-owned banks in the country, PJSC Promsvyazbank, and is one of the support measures implemented by the fund. The goal of the project is to create special conditions for all North Military District veterans and family members of fallen soldiers by joining the “Defenders of the Fatherland” card with loyalty programs and discounts from partners: business structures, public and government organizations.

“No matter how much and what various support measures the state provides today to SVO participants and their families, these measures will always be insufficient. We, working here in the rear, are aware of this. It is no coincidence that in every speech our Supreme Commander-in-Chief calls the soldiers – participants in a special military operation – our asset, a support for the country. Without their hourly feat there, at the front, there will be no Russia. Maximum support for participants, SVO veterans and their families is our common moral duty. One of the important support measures will be, among other things, the joint payment card “Defenders of the Fatherland”, which was created by PSB Bank and the State Fund “Defenders of the Fatherland”. This is not just a convenient banking instrument. The joint project also includes a number of benefits and offers from the Russian trade industry, from many representatives of our domestic business – including from leading federal food retail brands, clothing and shoe stores, medical clinics, travel services, carriers and many others. We can already say that leading companies in the consumer market of our country are participating in the project. The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade became a platform for discussing details and working out the project. The number of its participants is constantly increasing. And here, of course, I would like to thank business for their active civic position,” Evtukhov noted.

Sergei Kondrashkin, who was a UAV operator at the front, like other Wagnerites, received a certificate. The man came to the award ceremony on crutches, until the wound he received in the leg does not allow him to move on his own. But thanks to the help of the center and the foundation, he is confident that by the time summer arrives he will be back to running.

“I’ve already been to this center, I really liked the gym. Today I even took a backpack with my sports uniform to work out. I need to train my leg now, I hope to run in six months,” says Kondrashkin.

When asked about the front, the “musician” modestly replies that he was in the office. Only the conditions were worse and there were explosions all around. Like in the movies, only in life and without fire.

“I carried out reconnaissance flights in the morning, adjustments and observation in the afternoon. Since the device was ordinary, it flew only during daylight hours. Therefore, consider it like working in the office, only the conditions are more difficult. I was wounded in Bakhmut on February 6, I was walking from the headquarters to the location, and was covered with a mortar. Got a fragment. I learned that it was possible to apply for a certificate from the Wagnerite telegram channel. I called my superiors, and now the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation helped me with everything. I am certainly pleased with this, especially since the presentation took place in such a solemn atmosphere. It’s nice that our merits in participating in combat operations are recognized. This is very touching,” Kondrashkin shared.

“What happened today is very important. The guys must get what they deserve: even those who died, or even those who survived. I’m lucky, I’m alive. For my family I am a hero, it’s nice to know that for the country too,” summed up machine gunner Ivan Lavrenov, who went through Lisichansk, Soledar and Bakhmut, without undue modesty.