Press release, 14.08.2017

The Rostov Region 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 Rostov Region could have disposed of the 100 billion roubles spent on Russia’s military operation in Syria.

These funds could have been allotted to build a new metro line for 76 billion roubles; renew the public transport depot buying 200 new buses, 42 trams, 83 trolleybuses for 4,49 billion roubles; build 34 new kindergartens for 10,2 billion roubles; open 20 new recreation parks for 2 billion roubles; build 15 new schools, solving the problem of second shifts in schools for 6,75 billion roubles; build a sludge disposal plant to clear the basin of the Don River for 2,2 billion roubles. Moreover, the money could have been allotted to increase pensions in the Rostov Region by 5,000 thousand roubles for 16,6 billion roubles and raise the salaries of teachers, doctors, educators and nurses by 30 per cent for 3,03 billion 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.