Diplomas were awarded to veterans of the special military operation who completed training in the "Urban Infrastructure Management and Territory Development" program.

      The diploma awarding ceremony for veterans of the special military operation (SMO) who successfully completed training at MGIMO MFA Russia under the additional professional education program "Management of Urban Infrastructure and Territorial Development" took place at the Reception House of the Russian MFA on July 17.

      The two-month training, organized by GlavUpDK at the Russian MFA in collaboration with the State Fund "Defenders of the Fatherland," was held at the Odintsovo branch of MGIMO. Nineteen veterans of the SMO from Moscow and Saint Petersburg, as well as from the Moscow, Novgorod, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tula, and Nizhny Novgorod regions, participated in the program. Among them were three Nizhny Novgorod residents: Ilya Kalinin, Denis Pechurkin, and Maxim Popov.

      The diploma ceremony was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, State Secretary - Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the "Defenders of the Fatherland" Fund Anna Tsiviléva, and MGIMO Rector Anatoly Torkunov. The Deputy Prime Minister of Nizhny Novgorod Region, Dmitry Starostin, was also invited.

      The training program included theoretical and practical preparation on basics of state and municipal administration, administrative-law and technical-organizational issues, territorial development, and digitization of urban management.

      Anna Tsiviléva expressed gratitude to the Russian MFA and MGIMO for organizing the program and voiced confidence that the acquired knowledge would help veterans of the SMO bring even greater benefit to the Motherland.

      "The growth of the economy and the level of social well-being depend on the development of small and remote regions, so the program graduates carry a serious mission. The selection process was rigorous: 19 participants from the special operation completed an accelerated course, and now they are returning home to work with executive authorities to implement reforms. I would like to note that one of the directions of the "Defenders of the Fatherland" Fund, established by the Russian President's decree, is to assist SMO veterans in acquiring new competencies, including management skills. And we are providing such opportunities to our heroes,"Tsiviléva said.

      The program was delivered by 30 instructors who are current government officials and practicing industry experts. Participants received state-standard diplomas to facilitate further employment. It is planned that graduates will take positions in housing and utilities management in their home regions.

      One of the participants, Denис Pechurkin, graduated from the Kazan Higher Military Command School and was mobilized to participate in the special military operation. For successfully completing tasks in the SVO zone, he was awarded the "For Courage" medal.

      "Everything went very well! We had very strong instructors who shared their experience and wholeheartedly supported us. It was challenging, but we gained invaluable experience that we are ready to apply in practice," Denis Pechurkin shared.

      For SMO veterans, accommodation and meals were provided free of charge, along with access to the modern facilities of the MGIMO Odintsovo branch, including a sports and wellness complex, a swimming pool, and a library. Aside from face-to-face classes, participants attended off-site seminars at infrastructure sites in Moscow and the Moscow region, as well as cultural events.

      Training and employment assistance for SMO veterans remain a priority for the "Defenders of the Fatherland" Fund. The Fund offers veterans the opportunity to learn new, in-demand professions, which requires prior retraining or qualification enhancement programs. Over two years, more than 7,000 veterans have sought assistance from the Fund, with over 4,800 sent for training.

      Note:

      The "Defenders of the Fatherland" State Fund was established by the decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Its main goal is to provide personalized support to SMO veterans and their families. Specialists and social coordinators assist veterans not only with medical and social rehabilitation but also with retraining and employment, legal support, housing adaptation for disabled persons, and long-term home care. Branches of the Fund operate across all regions of Russia.