Russia: August 2008 war servicemen recognized as veterans

BBC Worldwide Monitoring
December 18, 2009

Text of report by Gazprom-owned Russian NTV on 18 December

News from the Kremlin just in. Those who took part in combat operations in South Ossetia and Abkhazia in [August] 2008 are now regarded as veterans. [President] Dmitriy Medvedev has signed corresponding amendments to the federal law on veterans.

Some 15,000 soldiers and officers will receive veteran ID cards. In line with the law, they are entitled to various benefits, a 50-per-cent rent and utilities discount and a monthly cash payment. Now it totals R1,635 [54 dollars at the current exchange rate].

Source: NTV, Moscow, in Russian 0700 gmt 18 Dec 09