The decree issued by the Russian authorities expands social support for residents who relocated to the Russian Federation from Ukraine and the Donbass republics. It was published on the official legal information portal on August 27.
The measure enables applications to be submitted to the highest executive authorities of the constituent entities of Russia for payments to citizens of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Lugansk People’s Republic, Ukraine, and stateless individuals who moved into Russia after February 18, 2022. The new rules are designed to reach people who arrived in Russia during that period.
Payments are to be credited retroactively starting from July 1, 2022, and are scheduled to continue through December 31 of the same year. The decree specifies that these rules do not apply to individuals recognized as refugees under federal law 1993 On Refugees.
Under Russian law, refugee status can be defined by factors such as race, nationality, religion, or political opinion, along with a well-founded fear of persecution due to these characteristics. The state may offer protection to those who qualify as refugees. Statistics from the Ministry of Internal Affairs indicate that, in 2020, a relatively small number of individuals were formally recognized as refugees, with higher figures recorded earlier in 2014 during the onset of the Donbass conflict.
Pensioners and people with disabilities
The decree introduces monthly pension payments of 10,000 rubles, and monthly social payments of the same amount for people with disabilities. An additional 3,000 rubles per month is provided for disability group I recipients, children with disabilities, and pensioners over 80. Those eligible for both pension and disability benefits must choose one option.
Children
For children, a monthly payment of 4,000 rubles is provided. Parents of students under 23 years of age may also receive this benefit. Children under guardianship receive 15,000 rubles, and single parents are paid 10,000 rubles per month.
There is also a one-time payment of 10,000 rubles to pregnant women, with a subsequent 20,000 rubles provided after delivery.
Veterans
Veterans of the Great Patriotic War and World War II who left the Donbass or Ukraine are eligible for monthly payments of 5,000 rubles each.
No time limit
The decree confirms the right of residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk republics and Ukraine to stay on Russian territory without a time limit. The document states that citizens of these areas may reside temporarily indefinitely in the Russian Federation, subject to certain conditions and compliance checks.
Beneficiaries must undergo fingerprint registration and medical examinations. They must not show signs of narcotic, psychoactive, or psychotropic substance use, and they must not have contagious diseases or HIV infection. Immigrants may work in the Russian Federation without requiring patents, and the decree remains in force until any later cancellation of the measures. These provisions aim to streamline residency and work eligibility for eligible newcomers.
Evacuation
The evacuation of residents from the Donetsk and Lugansk regions to Russia began amid escalating hostilities along the conflict line. On the same day, directions were given to provide 10,000 rubles to each arriving refugee in the Rostov region, with funds drawn from reserve resources. The government later issued a decree enabling immigrants to retain their passports during processing, a move intended to simplify procedures at border areas. The topic has been tracked by officials and researchers, who note that Russia has managed large-scale movements of people during the ongoing crisis.
As of late August, Russian authorities reported that millions of people had sought refuge from Ukraine, with substantial numbers also relocating within Europe. Figures from international organizations indicate that millions have been displaced in total, with varying distributions across neighboring countries. In response to the crisis, Russian defense and civil authorities reported ongoing evacuations from dangerous districts and continued remnants of displacements linked to the conflict.