The law, which includes financial advantages for seniors, expectant mothers, and persons with disabilities, was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.
According to the decree, which was made public on a government website, those who have been compelled to leave Ukraine’s territory since February 18 would receive monthly pension payments of 10,000 roubles ($170). While pregnant women are entitled to a one-time benefit, disabled persons will also be eligible for the same monthly support.
The decree states that the payments will be made to residents of Ukraine as well as the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, two breakaway Russian-supported entities in eastern Ukraine that Moscow recognised as independent in February in a move that Ukraine and the West deemed illegal.
On February 18, Putin issued an order directing the payment of 10,000 roubles to each person entering Russia from Donetsk and Luhansk.
Moscow has begun issuing Russian passports to Ukrainians in what the US and Ukraine claim is an illegal attempt by Moscow to acquire territory it has conquered as part of what they view as an imperialist Russian land grab.
In an effort to defend itself and Russian speakers who it claims are being persecuted by Ukrainian authorities, Moscow claims it is carrying out “a special military operation.” Kyiv disputes this.
