On August 27, 2026, the All-Russian Forum of Veterans of the special Military operation "Let's Win Together" began in Moscow, bringing together more than 2,000 defenders of the Fatherland and their family members from all regions of Russia.
The event was attended by the executive Secretary of the Synodal Committee for Cooperation with the Cossacks, Priest Timofey Chaikin.
The forum opened with the Russian national anthem and a minute of silence.
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin sent greetings to the participants and organizers of the forum. "The system of support for veterans and their families and friends created in our country is developing, being filled with new initiatives and real-life cases, and taking into account specific life situations.… It is important to continue to consistently strengthen the social guarantees of participants in a special military operation, assist them in acquiring new knowledge and professional competencies, and improve the effectiveness of medical care and rehabilitation programs," the greeting of the head of state reads.
"We started and held the first forum when we gathered only 150 heroes. Last year there were a thousand of you, and today there are more than two thousand. It is especially touching and responsible for us that many of you have come with your family and friends," said Anna Tsivileva, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation.
The business program is dedicated to the return of veterans to a peaceful life, rehabilitation, employment, adaptation through sports and the participation of veterans in state and municipal government, and spiritual support for the participants of their military education. The participants will also discuss youth education and regional development issues.
Speaking about the spiritual support of the soldiers, Priest Timofey Chaikin noted the role of the Orthodox clergy, who spiritually nurture the defenders of the Fatherland in the area of their: "At all times, a Cossack and a priest went to war together: one with a saber, the other with a cross. Today, this tradition continues to exist: military priests are near the soldiers, including the Cossacks, in the zone of a special military operation, perform prayer services before the battle, confess and receive communion from the soldiers, support their families. This service is an integral part of the heroic deed of all our people."
The educational part of the forum includes meetings with heroes of Russia, Olympic champions, military officers, actors and representatives of the Russian stage. Participants will also be able to discuss their issues directly with federal ministers and make proposals on social programs and economic development.
As part of the forum, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Tatyana Golikova visited the stand of the All-Russian Cossack Society. Igor Sharapov, an assistant to the ataman of the All—Russian Cossack Society, a press secretary, told her about the participation of Cossacks in a special military operation and about Cossack units performing combat missions on the front line. Today, thousands of Cossacks are participating in a special military operation, both as part of Cossack units and as part of military units of the Russian Armed Forces.
During the conversation, information was also provided on the formation of the first Cossack battalion of unmanned systems "Pokrov", which will perform combat missions using unmanned systems and the most modern technologies. At the same time, work continues on replenishing the country's mobilization human reserve with Cossacks and forming mobile firing groups from among the Cossacks to protect critical infrastructure.
The forum was organized by the State Fund for Support of Participants in the Special Military Operation Defenders of the Fatherland, the Russian Society Znanie and the Government of Moscow. The forum participants will discuss issues of support for veterans, their social adaptation and integration into civilian life, as well as assistance to their families.