Putin approves loan waivers for SMO participants, spouses

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law allowing participants in the Special Military Operation (SMO) and their spouses to write off overdue loans of up to 10 million rubles (about $96,000).

The legislation, set to take effect on December 1, will cancel existing debts for mobilised soldiers, conscripts (excluding military academy cadets), and those who sign a minimum one-year contract with the Russian Armed Forces after December 1, as well as their spouses, reports Xinhua news agency.

To qualify, loans must already be under court rulings, and enforcement proceedings must be initiated before December 1, with a debt amount capped at 10 million rubles.

However, certain debts remain excluded, such as compensation for harm to life or health, child support payments, and penalties related to corruption violations.