Igor Babushkin recalled that the Commission’s task is to better coordinate the efforts of the federal and regional executive authorities, the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation and other organisations in the interests of the participants and veterans of the special military operation and their family members. The Commission includes governors, representatives of the Russian Federation Government, the Presidential Executive Office, the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, public organisations, and the Russian Popular Front, as well as experts and participants in the Time of Heroes programme. The Commission has received over 500 requests, half of which are proposals to enhance the efficiency of state efforts in this sphere.
Solutions have been found to some issues the Commission has addressed. For example, the Government has decided to extend the Social Fund’s programme of social rehabilitation and health resort treatment to 2026–2027. The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Economic Development Ministry and the Finance Ministry used the Commission’s platform to work out the most effective methods of encouraging entrepreneurial activity among veterans based on the social contract mechanism. The Ministry of Construction worked together with regional authorities and the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation to standardise the rules for adapting housing to the requirements of people with disabilities.
Igor Babushkin mentioned the improvement of legislation. The Commission is working closely with both houses of the Federation Council and the Russian Government on this issue.
The Astrakhan Region Governor also reported on the Commission’s proposals that can be used to prepare instructions for the Government and become a valid tool for providing measures of support to combat veterans – participants in the special military operation. These proposals have to do, in part, with granting the status of combat veteran to new categories of citizens in the special military operation zone, improving legal procedures and document flow, medical assistance and rehabilitation, and improving the accessibility of counselling and psychotherapeutic aid for participants in the special military operation, as well as education, professional training and employment for veterans of combat operations.
Other proposals concern the families of the fallen and the missing in action who really do need special attention. It has been proposed that the Healthcare Ministry and relevant research centres elaborate and introduce corresponding recommendations, while those who work with these people undergo relevant training.
The Commission’s proposals also have to do with helping veterans prepare for enrolling at universities, offering them an opportunity to obtain several qualifications, including through individual tuition plans, and creating conditions for engaging in adaptive sports.
Vladimir Putin expressed support for these proposals, adding that it is necessary to coordinate all the details so that these good initiatives are not left in the air. In particular, it is necessary to discuss funding in advance.
Among other matters, Igor Babushkin emphasised that all regions of the Russian Federation have established regional support programmes for veterans and participants in the special military operation, and their families. The scope of these programmes depends on each region’s territorial and budgetary specifics. In accordance with the President’s instructions, the State Council Commission on State and Municipal Government has prepared a draft basic standard for social support measures to be provided to these veterans, their families, and the families of the fallen. Following a substantive deliberation on the proposals, the Commission, chaired by Igor Babushkin, developed a list of support measures intended to serve as a model for implementation across all regions of the Russian Federation. This model would apply uniformly, regardless of the region from which an individual was deployed or to which he returned.
These 19 social support measures cover education, social security, employment, healthcare, culture, taxation, and free legal assistance from competent professionals. Particular attention is directed towards the families of fallen heroes. Igor Babushkin expressed confidence that this will allow finalising the creation of a unified support system at the federal, regional, and municipal levels.
Igor Babushkin also stated that the Astrakhan Region, like all other regions, provides targeted support to local fighters. This includes, in particular, the 177th Naval Infantry Regiment of the Caspian Flotilla, which has been deployed since the start of the special military operation. The marines landed on the shores of the Sea of Azov, took part in the liberation of Berdyansk, demonstrated heroism in the Kursk Region, and are currently fulfilling a combat mission in the Pokrovsk sector. The regiment soldiers had asked the Governor to deliver a gift to the President.
Vladimir Putin said he was aware of their accomplishments and asked the Governor to convey his best wishes and words of gratitude to them.
Igor Babushkin then briefed the President on the regional situation. The harvesting season is nearing completion, with agricultural producers demonstrating record results by having already gathered approximately two million tonnes. The region’s gross agricultural product has seen overall growth of 49 percent since 2019. The area of cultivated land is also expanding significantly, having increased from 11,000 to 92,000 hectares. In response to the President’s observation on persistent desertification, the Governor confirmed that work is underway with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ministry of Agriculture to address the issue.
The discussion also touched upon the relocation of residents from dilapidated housing and the serious challenges facing the local utilities sector, particularly concerning water supply, wastewater disposal, and ageing infrastructure. A programme to modernise the local utilities system is currently being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Construction.
The Governor also highlighted the increasing volume and pace of housing construction, which has placed the region among the top ten in the country in this regard.
Finally, Igor Babushkin spoke about humanitarian and economic cooperation with the neighbouring Caspian states. Active collaboration is underway as part of the development of the North-South International Transport Corridor. He described this as a key initiative for the region, a logistics chain that serves as a primary driver of economic development for the Astrakhan Region and a cornerstone for building relationships with Russia’s neighbours.