Russian Defense Ministry Develops Procedure for Granting Veteran Status to Civilian Participants in Special Military Operation

23:17; 20 April 2026 year

### Russian Defense Ministry Drafts Rules for Granting Veteran Status to Civilians Participating in Special Military Operation The Russian Defense Ministry has drafted a regulation that establishes the procedure for granting veteran status to civilians who participated in the Special Military Operation (SMO), according to TASS. The document outlines the eligibility criteria, application process, and the procedure for reviewing applications. Under the proposed rules, individuals who were deployed to the SMO zone by state bodies or organizations can apply for the status. A key requirement is the presence of special merits in performing assigned tasks, such as state or departmental awards, including those from the President or the Government of Russia. An additional mandatory condition is the duration of service: at least six months. Early termination of participation is allowed if there are valid reasons, such as injury or other circumstances preventing further duty fulfillment. The issuance of certificates will be handled by federal executive authorities. Special commissions will be established within these bodies to make final decisions. Regional and other organizations may participate only in the initial stages of receiving and transferring documents but will not have the authority to make decisions. Applicants will need to submit a set of supporting documents, including information about their deployment to the SMO zone, duration of service, and certificates of awards or incentives. The review process is expected to take up to 30 calendar days. The document also lists grounds for refusal, including incomplete documentation, discovery of false information, or lack of legal grounds for obtaining the certificate. In case of refusal, applicants can reapply after correcting the identified violations.

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