Press release, 14.08.2017

The Orenburg branch of Yabloko collected over 1,000 signatures as part of the Time to Return Home campaign aimed at Russia’s withdrawal from military conflicts and allotment of federal budget funds to Russia’s domestic development.

Yabloko activists handed out leaflet showing how the Orenburg Region could have disposed of the 100 billion roubles spent on Russia’s military operation in Syria.

These funds could have been allotted to repair all the roads in the city for 6,66 billion roubles; build two modern multifunctional clinics for 1,79 billion roubles; reduce the ticket price for public transport to 10 roubles for 172 million roubles a year; rehouse residents of substandard houses and do capital repair works of 2,805 apartment blocks in Orenburg for 8,33 billion roubles; build 36 new schools cancelling second shifts for 25,2 billion roubles; provide all school children in Orenburg with free lunches for 1,34 billion a year; open 15 modern recreation zones for 1,5 billion roubles; raise the salaries of teachers, doctors, educators and nurses by 30 per cent for 2 billion roubles a year.

Yabloko conducted the Time to Return Home campaign in the central streets and squares of 50 cities in 40 regions of the country. Over 70,000 signatures have already been obtained despite the active pressure on behalf the authorities in a number of regions.

Yabloko plans to collect at least 100,000 signatures. According to Yabloko leaders, such a result will be a serious proof that a significant part of the Russian society stands against the expensive and useless military adventure of the government.