Russia Expands University Quotas For SVO Participants

President Vladimir Putin signed a law introducing admission quotas for widows of participants in the special military operation. These widows will be able to enter vocational colleges without undergoing entrance examinations. The law was signed by Putin to provide support measures. The law includes provisions for fighters from the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics who have been fighting since May 2014. Currently, Russia provides benefits for special operation participants and their families, covering 10% of total state-funded university places. Irina Abankina, a professor at the Higher School of Economics, noted that the size of the quota will likely remain unchanged. The law provides priority access to specialties related to digital technologies. Children of participants in the special military operation who are deceased or seriously injured are entitled to enter universities without entrance examinations. The benefit also extends to children of Hero of Russia recipients and those awarded the Order of Courage three times. Even if quotas are exceeded, universities use rector reserves to admit participants. Starting this year, SVO participants and their family members may access free services. The source noted that children of those killed or seriously wounded in the operation also hold these rights.