During her meeting with President of Russia Vladimir Putin, Head of the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation Anna Tsivileva reported on the foundation’s activities. The foundation was established by a presidential Executive Order on April 3, 2023, and started operations in all regions of Russia on June 1.
According to Ms Tsivileva, the organisers used other countries’ experience of working with participants in combat operations. She noted in particular their personalised approach to those in need of support. The foundation has received 900,000 applications over its 10 months in existence, granting 780,000 of them. The majority of applicants are military personnel in active service.
Next, Anna Tsivileva focused on measures to rehabilitate war veterans. For example, the foundation adapts residential premises to accommodate soldiers who have become disabled due to injury and provides them with high-functioning prosthetics and wheelchairs.
The foundation also arranges medical check-ups for servicemen who have returned from zones of combat operations. In addition, SMO veterans can receive assistance in finding employment or professional training. Another actively used socialisation method is to involve disabled personnel in sports.
Ms Tsivileva outlined to the President several urgent issues, such as the problem of awarding the war veteran or disabled war veteran status to volunteers and PMC personnel. Another important task is to help dependents to acquire the status of fallen soldiers’ family members.
She also highlighted the need to create a digital platform for feedback from servicemen who use the foundation’s services.
In conclusion, Anna Tsivileva mentioned the initiative to put manually-operated automobiles for SMO veterans with amputated limbs on the list of rehabilitation equipment. In response, the President voiced a firm conviction that this problem would be solved.