At least 88,000 residents of Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories have been officially recognized by Russia as participants in its so-called "special military operation" (SVO), according to the Eastern Human Rights Group.
The rights group said that Russia's PSB Bank had reported issuing 88,000 electronic "SVOi" cards in occupied areas of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.
"At first glance, this appears to be another digital service for participants in the so-called SVO. In reality, this figure is one of the few publicly available indicators that allows an assessment of the scale of the involvement of residents of occupied territories in the war on Russia's side," the organization said.
According to the group, the "SVOi" card is issued to individuals who have received combat veteran status while serving in Russian armed formations. The card functions as an identification document, a bank card, and a means of accessing state payments and benefits.
The human rights group said the issuance of 88,000 cards suggests the approximate number of residents of occupied territories who have been integrated into Russia's military system and officially recognized by the Russian state as participants in the war against Ukraine.
