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Military operation in Ukraine

State Duma passes law on combat veteran status for special operation in Ukraine

Those who had taken part in the special operation would be able to qualify for the same social protection that is enjoyed by those veterans who served on missions in Afghanistan, Syria and other theaters of combat operations

MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. The State Duma unanimously approved on Wednesday on the first and final reading of a bill that designates the participants in the special military operation in Ukraine as combat veterans.

The bill was submitted to the lower house of Russia’s parliament by members of the United Russia Party and senators from the same party led by Andrey Turchak, First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council (the upper house) and Secretary of the party’s General Council, on Tuesday.

Turchak said that those who had taken part in the special operation would be able to qualify for the same social protection that is enjoyed by those veterans who served on missions in Afghanistan, Syria and other theaters of combat operations.

"They include extra allowances from the state, tax exemptions, housing benefits, discounted transportation fares, medical packages and more," he added.

Chairman of the State Duma’s Defense Committee Andrey Kartapolov said at the session that the law aims to show that the participants in the special operation are supported throughout Russia.

"It is our sacred duty. It is the least we can do for our guys," he stressed.

On February 24, Putin announced a special military operation in response to a request for help by the heads of the Donbass republics. He stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories, but aims to demilitarize and denazify the country.

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