Press release, 14.08.2017

The Yaroslavl branch of Yabloko collected over 1,400 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 Yaroslavl Region could have disposed of the 100 billion roubles spent on Russia’s military operation in Syria.

According to Yabloko’s research department, these funds could have been allotted to repair all the roads in the city for 12,29 billion roubles; build a modern multi-faceted hospital with a delivery department for 9,2 billion roubles; to refurbish all the accommodation unit in Yaroslavl for 26,15 billion roubles; provide all school children of Yaroslavl with free lunches for 1,56 roubles; buy 150 low floor buses functioning on natural gas for 1,64 billion roubles; void a charge for kindergartens for 1,27 billion roubles; open 15 recreation zones for 1,5 billion roubles; increase pensions by 5,000 roubles for 11,1 billion roubles; raise the salaries of teachers, doctors, educators and nurses by 30 per cent for 1,95 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.