Russian President Vladimir Putin (File image)
Photo : AP
Under this decree, pensioners, disabled and pregnant women are also covered. People who have been forced to leave their homes since February 18 will be entitled to receive a monthly pension of 10,000 roubles.
The United States and Ukraine termed it an illegal effort by Russia to annex Ukrainian territories. In May this year, Putin also signed a decree on the simplified admission of citizens of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine to the citizenship of the Russian Federation.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. Putin called the invasion “denazification” of the eastern European country. Russian troops are now focussing on taking full control of Donetsk and Lugansk.
Earlier on Saturday, Russia and Ukraine exchanged fresh accusations of shelling at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. the nuclear facility is under the control of Russian forces since March this year. However, it is still being operated by Ukrainian staff.
