Press release, 14.08.2017

The Voronezh branch of Yabloko collected over 1,200 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 Voronezh Region could have disposed of the 100 billion roubles spent on Russia’s military operation in Syria.

These funds could have been allotted to repairing all roads in the city for 17.29 billion roubles; building a new outpatients clinic in every district of the city for 1.76 billion roubles; abolishing the fees for kindergartens for 1.15 billion a year; renovating the public transport fleet by purchasing 300 new buses for 3.3 billion; building 22 new schools, solving the problem of second shifts in schools for 16.55 billion; creation of 20 modern recreational park areas for 2 billion; provision of free meals at school for all Voronezh schoolchildren for 1.79 billion a year; building a garbage-processing plant solving the problem of recycling household waste for 3.25 billion; raising the salaries of teachers, doctors, educators and nurses by 30 per cent for 3.1 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.