Volunteers of the Russian Guard will be able to receive a combat veteran certificate

The Russian government has approved the rules for issuing combat veteran certificates to participants in volunteer formations as part of the Russian Guard. The document will give them the right to social benefits, including property tax, as well as compensation for utility bills in the amount of 50%. Resolution (.pdf) signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

Now citizens who have joined volunteer formations to carry out the tasks of the Russian Guard as part of the military operation in Ukraine will be able to receive a combat veteran’s certificate. Among the benefits that the law provides to holders of such a certificate are property tax benefits, 50% compensation for utility bills, free travel on suburban railway transport, as well as on intercity transport to and from the place of treatment. In addition, citizens with combat veteran status are entitled to a monthly cash payment.

A special commission will make a decision on issuing a combat veteran certificate. To obtain a document, a citizen must submit an application addressed to the commander of the military unit on the basis of which the volunteer formation was created.

The law that allows the Russian Guard to have its own volunteer formations, President Vladimir Putin signed December 25, 2023. The document not only gives Russian Guard volunteers the same rights as Ministry of Defense volunteers, but also introduces liability for disseminating deliberately false information about them. For fakes about volunteers (Article 207.3 of the Criminal Code) the penalty is up to 15 years in prison, for discrediting them (Article 280.3 of the Criminal Code) – up to 7 years.

Read more in the Kommersant article. “The SVO participants were completely equalized”.