Russian President Putin signs law for unpaid leave for Afghanistan and Syria veterans
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed amendments to the country's "On Veterans" law, allowing veterans deployed to Afghanistan and Syria to receive up to 35 days of unpaid leave annually.
According to Russia's state news agency TASS, the changes aim to increase social support for individuals sent abroad on official missions. The law covers those deployed to Afghanistan from December 1979 to December 1989, as well as personnel sent to Syria for special missions starting September 30, 2015. It also includes some individuals deployed to Ukraine conflict areas after 2022 who meet specified conditions.
TASS reported that the law took effect upon its official publication. The Soviet military presence in Afghanistan lasted less than 10 years, resulting in more than 15,000 soldiers killed and thousands wounded or disabled.
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