Duma deputy wants to pay welfare to Russian volunteers who fought in Ukraine

Duma deputy Vyacheslav Tetekin has introduced draft legislation that would provide social benefits to medics, journalists, and volunteers who have participated in fighting or humanitarian relief efforts in eastern Ukraine.

According to Tetekin, a considerable number of Russians have risked their own safety for the sake of Russians outside the Russian Federation, voluntarily serving Russia’s national interests abroad. “Russia doesn’t have the right to participate in any internal civil conflicts beyond its borders,” Tetekin explained, “but a country must support its citizens, no matter what.”

According to the website Garant.ru, the Russian government says it does not support the bill. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s Cabinet said in a statement that the legislation fails to define the concept of “combat participant” and doesn’t specify the mechanism for providing social benefits. The federal budget from 2015 to 2017, moreover, makes no allowances for such additional social spending. Finally, the government argues, Russian law does not provide for the participation of volunteers in armed hostilities.

• Tetekin’s bill was registered on April 17. It will now undergo review in the Duma’s committee on labor, social policy, and veterans’ affairs.