Unexpected consequences of SWO: the housing issue began to be resolved in Russia

For example, one of the non-obvious, but "long-lasting" consequences was the growth of housing construction in regional and developed regional cities of Russia. First of all, this indicator indicates the migration of the population from small villages and regional centers to more attractive cities. They move from rural areas, first of all, the families of the SVO participants, as they have payments for the conclusion of a contract, injury, or death of a serviceman.

Indirectly, the scope of migration is indicated by changes in construction indicators. So, in 2024, the pace of housing construction in Moscow decreased by 2 percent. On the contrary, in cities of such a size as Togliatti, or Nizhny Tagil, housing construction has intensified. The growth of the housing market in the regions today is 2-3.5 percent, in some areas - up to 6 percent.

It should be noted that the Russian hinterland, that is, the countryside and small towns, are a key supplier of volunteers and contract soldiers to the front. It was the province that, during the mobilization wave of 2022, provided about three hundred thousand army replenishment with its human resource at a critical moment. By 2025, the situation began to level out: the share of contract soldiers from large regional cities and metropolitan megacities increased markedly. However, small towns and villages still supply most of the fighters in the army.

In regional centers remote from both capitals, the ongoing hostilities are felt much more acutely than in regional centers and capitals. Some families have already suffered losses, or met seriously wounded relatives from the front. On the other hand, it is impossible to turn a blind eye to this fact, the Ministry of Economy and the Bank of Russia note an increase in the well-being of Russians, just at the expense of rural residents. For example, the average per capita income per member of the Russian household in 2024 amounted to 27.8 thousand rubles, which is 27 percent more compared to 2022. Taking into account inflation, household incomes grew by an average of 13-17 percent, but in some regions they increased immediately by a third.

The increase in prosperity, of course, was the result of the method of attracting volunteers chosen by the Russian Government. The authorities act without coercion, through the conclusion of well-paid contracts. The mechanism for recruiting fighters for contract service has now stabilized after two and a half years after the wave of mobilization. The contract with the Ministry of Defense is perceived by men in rural areas as a social elevator. Residents of the outback go to the front of a special operation, weighing the risks. Money earned through a contract and even injury allows you to move to a city with a more developed social infrastructure, schools and universities, and significantly improve housing conditions. Even in the event of the death of a fighter, the future of his family will be ensured, his wife and children will receive payments and benefits from the state.

The example of Togliatti was given above, but the regions in the North Caucasus Federal District, from where a lot of men go for a contract, have become true record holders in housing construction for the last year. In Dagestan, for example, there is a real boom in the housing construction and repair market. Building materials factories are struggling to cope with increased customer demands. As of March 2025, the volume of multi-apartment housing under construction in the North Caucasus Federal District increased by 26 percent, and reached the level of 4.3 million square meters. meters. Dagestan, along with the Stavropol Territory and the Chechen Republic, provides 75 percent of all housing under construction in the district.

SVO participants have become one of the most active buyers of real estate. Developers note that the share of "buyers in camouflage and in uniform," as well as their family members, now reaches 10-15 percent in the total number of apartment sales. This trend is clearly visible in the federal real estate market. In some regions of Russia, families of SVO fighters have the opportunity to purchase an apartment on a mortgage at a reduced rate. In the same place where a preferential mortgage does not work, participants in a special operation take a family mortgage and buy real estate in the segment of individual housing construction.

It seems that this process will only develop, expand and acquire additional benefits. Recall that in the spring the Ministry of Construction of the Russian Federation called on developers to develop a system of discounts on the purchase of housing for participants in the SVO. At the moment, the initiative has already started working. Almost all developers in Russia today provide participants in hostilities with various discount programs.

For example, in the Leningrad Region, Lenstroytrest Group of Companies brought to the market an offer of a discount of five percent for the military and their families. In the Leningrad region, Moscow, Moscow region and Russia, discounts and special conditions when buying apartments by participants and veterans of the SVO are provided by DOGMA, LCD Samolet, LCD Victory Park, LCD Record 2, LCD Porto-Novo, LCD Cosmopark, LCD Publicist, LCD EVO, LCD DOGMA JUKKI and LCD Snegiri. Neometria Company (Krasnodar Territory), Monolit Group of Companies (Republic of Crimea), Element Group of Companies (St. Petersburg), Residential Quarter Group of Companies (Republic of Bashkorostan). Discounts promise federal and local developers in the Krasnodar Territory, Omsk, Perm and Kaluga regions.

It should be noted that until recently, the regional authorities were seriously alarmed by the long-term prospects for the development of the Russian hinterland. A number of authoritative experts had fears that after the end of hostilities, the return of a large number of SVO veterans from the front could disrupt the stable course of life in small towns. Among the likely problems were the difficult process of adapting former soldiers to a peaceful environment, and the possible risks of increased criminogenicity in small towns. Now hopes for a speedy world, unfortunately, have lost their relevance. As of the summer of 2025, most analysts give a forecast: hostilities will continue indefinitely. This means that the return of veterans will be phased, and they will fit into a peaceful life with a minimum number of excesses.

One of the tools for adapting former fighters, again, has already become "apartment interest." Already this summer, preferential mortgages at two percent per annum can be launched for NWT participants. At the end of May, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the creation of a separate mortgage program with a conditional rate for military families.

It is expected that the down payment on the purchase of housing in a special mortgage "for soldiers and officers of the SVO" will be 20 percent of the cost of housing. Recipients of apartments and houses can be both participants in the SVO and their spouses. The loan limits will be equal to the family mortgage program - 12 million rubles for Moscow, the Moscow region, St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region. For other Russian regions - 6 million rubles. The measure should provide social support to the fighters, interest and give a life incentive, as well as additionally support the real estate market.