A large family of a participant in the special military operation spoke about the assistance in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

      June 9, 2026 12:59 Society Residents of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Natalia and Ilya, shared how state support helps their family while the head of the family serves in the SVO zone. Ilya has been on the front line since September 2023. Previously, he worked in a museum, participated in creative competitions with his wife, and ran his own business. The decision to go defend the country was driven by his concern for civilians and the future of children. The family has three children: daughter Ulyana and twins Svyatoslav and Yaroslav.

      “At that moment, the ground disappeared from under my feet, and the world turned upside down. The children initially did not understand the seriousness of the situation, and when they went to see him off, they cried,” Natalia said in an interview with pravda-nn.ru.

      Now the family feels support at the regional level. Natalia is registered under a military social contract, which provides monthly payments for children, free meals and after-school care at school, benefits for kindergarten, and partial reimbursement of utility bills. Families can also receive vouchers for camps and sanatoriums and participate in cultural and sports events.

      “Last year, the children were able to rest by the sea for three weeks absolutely free. I was afraid there would be a lot of paperwork, but everything went smoothly,” Natalia says.

      The family also receives additional payments and benefits as a large family, which allows the mother to work calmly while the children learn and develop. According to Olga Biryukova, deputy director of the Department of Social Protection of the Population, families of SVO participants can count not only on financial support but also on psychological and legal assistance. Natalia actively participates in the "SVOya Sila" project aimed at helping the families of servicemen and acquiring new professional skills.

      “We have always dreamed of our own home. I hope that one day this dream will come true, and our children and grandchildren will come to visit us,” shared the Nizhny Novgorod resident.

      Ilya is confident that his loved ones are surrounded by care and support, which allows him to focus on his service, while the family eagerly awaits his return home. As of February 1, 2026, more than 29,000 military social contracts have been registered in the Nizhny Novgorod region. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+