Image by wikipedia

By Aiden Pink January 2, 2018

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree Monday that gives lifetime pensions to Israeli veterans of World War II who served in the Soviet armed forces.

Israeli citizens who served in what Russians call the Great Patriotic War will receive 1,000 rubles ($17.30) per month for life, as will underage prisoners of concentration camps, the state-owned TASS news agency reported.

Widows or widowers of war veterans will receive 500 rubles ($8.68) per month, as will adult concentration camp survivors.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Around 10,000 veterans of World War II live in Israel, according to the country’s Ministry of Immigrant Absorption.

Putin’s declaration was announced the same day that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone and agreed to meet “soon” to discuss regional issues. Russia is a supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is also propped up by Iran. Netanyahu has told Putin that Israel will not accept a buildup of Iranian forces on its border.

The two countries have worked together to ensure that their two armed forces don’t attack each other when engaging in Syria.

Contact Aiden Pink at [email protected] or on Twitter, @aidenpink

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount