Former servicemen will be offered free additional education to transition to civilian lives A Russian parliamentary committee has approved a bill which would expand benefits for military veterans who served in the Ukraine conflict.The Education Committee backed a proposal on Wednesday which was first introduced in the State Duma in July that would fund classes for veterans seeking to learn a new trade.Current legislation already provides free professional education, but the proposed amendments would help veterans shift their civilian careers in new directions after leaving the military.“People participating in the special military operation need a path to return to a peaceful life. Getting a new profession is often required for that,” bill co-sponsor Dmitry Vyankin told the State Duma’s newspaper, Parlamentskaya Gazeta.Supporters say the measure would also help Russia address labor shortages by facilitating veterans’ return to the workforce. The subsidies would also cover members of the National Guard and police serving in regions affected by hostilities with Ukraine. Lawmakers are also considering extending the benefits to widows of servicemen, the newspaper reported.Russian law provides a range of benefits to military personnel and their families, including special programs offering government career opportunities to troops who have demonstrated leadership on the battlefield.