Putin Signs Law to Assign Veteran Status to Russian Military in Syria

All Russian military personnel who were involved in the 6-month-long operation are to be assigned veteran status, which presupposes special support and aid from the government, according to the document, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Monday granting veteran status to Russian military personnel who fought in Syria, according to the document, published on the official government portal for legal information.

Russia conducted an aerial campaign in Syria from September 30, 2015 until March 14, 2016, when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the withdraw most of the country's military contingent after accomplishing its objective.

According to the document, all Russian military personnel who were involved in the 6-month-long operation are to be assigned veteran status, which presupposes special support and aid from the government.

The project is estimated to cost some 967.8 million rubles ($15.2 million) to be implemented, with the funds to be drawn from the federal budget.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad fighting against numerous opposition factions and extremist groups, including Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) and the Nusra Front, both of which are outlawed in Russia, among other countries.