2/ A report from the independent Russian news outlet Govorit NeMoskva highlights the problems being faced by all categories of soldiers, including professional contract soldiers, mobilised men, volunteers and those serving with mercenary groups.

Under Russian government decrees, those who fought in the Donbas conflict from 2014 or in the full-scale invasion from February 2022 onwards are entitled to combat veteran status, and to the various state benefits which are thus granted.

3/ On 1 August 2023, the Ministry of Defence was instructed to create a commission to determine who should be awarded a veterans' card. However, the order to create the commisison was only signed by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on 17 September.

Russian social media is filled with complaints from ex-combatants who say that the authorities are failing to help veterans. Ex-Wagnerites and combatants from the Donetsk and Luhansk 'People's Republics' (DNR/LNR) appear to be among the worst affected.

4/ Ivan Abramov, for instance, writes on VK: "I am one of those who defended the right of people to speak their native language, their history, faith, and culture.

When I fought, my state needed me, but as soon as I became unable to fight, I immediately became an unnecessary hero. They will only remember me on certain anniversaries and give me unnecessary cards."