Round table discussion at the National Centre RUSSIA: two years since the creation of the "Defenders of the Fatherland" Foundation
The further development of the state support system for veterans of the special military operation and their families, as well as the key results of the work of the "Defenders of the Fatherland" Foundation, were discussed at a roundtable dedicated to the two-year anniversary of the signing of the Decree by the President of Russia on the foundation's creation. The event took place on April 3 at the National Centre RUSSIA.
State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, Chairwoman of the "Defenders of the Fatherland" Foundation, Anna Tsivileva, noted that the foundation has given an impetus to the development of many sectors and contributed to the formation of a system for the social support of veterans of the special military operation based on close interdepartmental cooperation.
"The 'Defenders of the Fatherland' Foundation was established by President of Russia Vladimir Putin exactly two years ago. During this time, we have gained invaluable experience, which has given an impetus to the development of many sectors: the economy, manufacturing, integrated services, medicine, and technology. The main result of the work of the 'Defenders of the Fatherland' Foundation is the creation of a system for the social support of heroes, based on close interdepartmental cooperation. In fact, a new system of state support is being created in the country, which includes, among other things, rehabilitation and resocialization of the heroes. All of this has taken the assistance to our veterans and their families to a new level. We have been able to achieve this only thanks to the joint efforts of government institutions: the Presidential Executive Office, the Government of Russia, and relevant ministries have all actively contributed. The work of the 'Defenders of the Fatherland' Foundation will continue. The state has taken on the responsibility of caring for those who stood up to defend the Motherland, and this is a comprehensive state policy for years to come," said Anna Tsivileva.
After the greeting by the chairman of the foundation and the screening of a video dedicated to the results of the two-year work of the organization, the participants of the event discussed key areas of support for veterans of the special military operation and their families, as well as proposals for the development of the rehabilitation and resocialization system for veterans.
The round table featured representatives of federal ministries and agencies: Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees of the foundation, Tatyana Golikova; Head of the Federal Treasury, Deputy Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Roman Artyukhin; Governor of Astrakhan Region, Chair of the Commission of the State Council of the Russian Federation on Supporting Veterans of Combat Operations — Participants of the Special Military Operation and their Families, Igor Babushkin; Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Murashko; Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation, Anton Kotyakov; Head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, Veronika Skvortsova. The event was also attended by leaders of partner organizations of the foundation, including the General Director of the ANO "Institute for Internet Development," Alexei Goreslavsky, and the General Director of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Editorial Office of the Russian Newspaper," Pavel Negoitsa.
The discussion also involved veterans of the special military operation – graduates of the Presidential Program "Time of Heroes," Heroes of Russia who are part of the leadership of the Movement of the First, the Russian society Znanie, and the Yunarmiya movement: Artur Orlov, Baldan Tsydypov, and Vladislav Golovin. Veterans Roman Gomylayev and Igor Starovoyt shared their stories of adapting to peaceful life with the support of the foundation "Defenders of the Fatherland."
The foundation "Defenders of the Fatherland" receives significant assistance from the Government of the Russian Federation. Important amendments were made to federal legislation, extending additional support measures to veterans of the special military operation and their families. Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees of the foundation, Tatyana Golikova, gave a high assessment of the foundation’s work.
"The foundation 'Defenders of the Fatherland' has become a successful new structure. This became possible thanks to the efforts of passionate people who dedicate themselves to this difficult and emotional work – giving their professional lives to it. In addition, the foundation has succeeded due to the interaction it has built, primarily with the guys, government bodies, the Government of the Russian Federation, regions, the expert community, as well as mutual support, respect, and professional development. We continue to fine-tune the system of support for SMO participants and their families – primarily based on the feedback we receive from our guys and their families. The main goal is to ensure that after returning from the special military operation, veterans are fully integrated into society, and families do not feel isolated while the defenders are fighting on the front lines. This direction is our absolute priority. It is important for us to listen to the guys themselves, so they can share their vision of how the support work should be structured and implemented," stated Tatyana Golikova.
Many of the most important issues related to the activities of the "Defenders of the Fatherland" foundation are resolved by its Board of Trustees. This body approves the list of medications, rehabilitation technical aids not included in the federal list, TSDs (technical support devices) and services provided to veterans with disabilities, including high-function prostheses and vehicles with manual controls, as well as the procedures for adapting living spaces.
"Today, the Board of Trustees of the foundation sees its task as developing effective measures to support veterans of the special military operation and promoting their implementation, primarily at all levels of government. Special attention should be given to the positive practices of the regions, analyzing additional support measures at the local level, and identifying the need to strengthen them. We plan to hold the upcoming meeting of the Board of Trustees in collaboration with the State Council Commission on the support of veterans of combat operations – participants of the special military operation and their families at the site of the Presidential Envoy to the Volga Federal District. We will examine the best practices for their spread across the entire country," emphasized Roman Artyukhin, head of the Federal Treasury and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the foundation.
To enhance the coordination of actions among all ministries and departments, organizations, and institutions involved in supporting veterans of the special military operation and their families, the President of Russia instructed the creation of the State Council Commission on the Support of Veterans of Combat Operations – Participants Of The Special Military Operation And Their Families. It is headed by the Governor of Astrakhan Region, Igor Babushkin.
"The Government of the Russian Federation and all regions have been involved in the work of supporting the families of our soldiers from the very first days of the special military operation, and later the guys who returned home due to injury or completion of their contracts. With the creation of the 'Defenders of the Fatherland' foundation two years ago and the opening of its regional branches, this work has become more systematic. The 'one-stop-shop' principle has proved more essential than ever, as veterans and the families of fallen soldiers receive not only social coordinators from the foundation, but friends who show the most sincere care. This decision by Vladimir Vladimirovich showed everyone who defends the interests of Russia with arms in hand that the state will care not only for them – no matter what happens, their parents, wives, and children will also receive support. For the first time in the history of our country and world practice, the institution of social protection has been created not only for military personnel but also for their families, and it has demonstrated its effectiveness during the special military operation, not after its completion," said Igor Babushkin.
The foundation pays a lot of attention to creating patriotic content and promoting the image of a true patriot, a hero who defends the Motherland, through various formats. At the event, a new joint project of the foundation, the Institute for Internet Development, and the "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" was presented – a series of videos titled "Heroes of Our Time" about the return of special military operation participants to civilian life, the support of defenders' families, and the work of the foundation.
"The videos of the 'Svoi Rodnye' ('Our Own') platform, which provides psychological and social support to veterans of the special military operation and their families, have already gained more than 11 million views. People need this. Without daily communication with the foundation, it would be impossible to create such projects – both those already implemented and those to come. The time for a large artistic form has not fully arrived yet: the screen image of the hero of the special military operation will emerge as society reflects on the events that have taken place since 2022. Next year, several projects will be released, related to the story of a hero who returned from the special military operation, his reintegration into life, and finding himself. Several veterans were present at the round table today, and for us, they are essentially ready-made stage images. Their stories are plots for which it is necessary and important to create series and films," said the Director General of the Institute for Internet Development, Alexei Goreslavsky.
Veteran of the special military operation, Hero of Russia, and Chairman of the Board of the Russian public-and-state movement of children and youth "Movement of the First" Artur Orlov spoke about the foundation's collaboration with the Movement of the First and the importance of patriotic education for the youth.
"An important result of the cooperation between the Movement of the First and the foundation 'Defenders of the Fatherland' has been the active involvement of veterans and participants of the special military operation in implementing military-patriotic projects. This work is of great significance for the entire patriotic education system. It is the participants of the special military operation who are today the example of true service to the Fatherland. In 2024, thanks to the collaboration between the foundation and the Movement of the First, more than 360 participants of the special military operation took part in organizing the All-Russian military-patriotic game 'Zarnitsa 2.0'. The foundation's initiative to hold the All-Russian 'Family Zarnitsa' this year is an important milestone in the development of the patriotic education system. I am confident it will be in demand by the family community of the Movement of the First 'Rodnye-Lyubimye' ('Dear-Loved Ones')," explained Artur Orlov.
The importance of the foundation's work in involving participants of the special military operation in physical culture and sports was highlighted by veteran of the special military operation, Knight of the Order of Courage, and Head of the Department for the Development of Student and Adaptive Sports at the Federal Centre for Sports Reserve Preparation of the Ministry of Sports of Russia, Igor Starovoit.
"The development of adaptive sports is essential for the participants of the special military operation. This is one of the priority areas of work for the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation. Thanks to adaptive sports, veterans of the SMO undergo rehabilitation, socialize, and integrate into public life. The 'Defenders of the Fatherland Cup' sports events, organized at a high level by the foundation together with the Ministry of Sports and the Russian Paralympic Committee, are the most successful and well-known sports project among the heroes. A big thank you to the foundation 'Defenders of the Fatherland', its employees, and Anna Yevgenyevna Tsivileva for the contribution they make to the rehabilitation of the participants of the special military operation," noted Igor Starovoit.
Veteran of the SMO Roman Gomylyaev thanked the foundation for its support and shared how his life had changed after reaching out to the foundation's branch.
"On behalf of the veterans of the special military operation, I congratulate the 'Defenders of the Fatherland' foundation on its anniversary. Thank you for the support you provide to veterans. After my injury, I could no longer work in my old profession, so my wife and I moved to the village, where we are engaged in farming. A social coordinator from the foundation contacted me and helped with social and legal support. Thanks to her assistance, I underwent training at the 'Farmer's School' and received a grant to develop the farm. With the help of the foundation, I received excellent prosthetics, and recently I had the opportunity to get a sports prosthesis. I'm confident that with it, I will be able to accomplish much more on the farm. I have many plans ahead, and with the foundation's support, I am sure I will bring them to life," shared veteran of the special military operation Roman Gomylyaev.
During the round table, the participants discussed the results of the 'Defenders of the Fatherland' foundation's work across all key areas of activity, including medical care and comprehensive rehabilitation for veterans of the special military operation, provision of rehabilitation technical aids, adaptation of living spaces, assistance with education and employment, involvement in physical culture and sports, cultural life, and patriotic events, as well as the creation and promotion of patriotic content.
Event photobank
On April 3, the National Centre RUSSIA hosted the evening "The Secrets of Stand-Up Comedy" as part of the author's project "Thursday. Development."
