Moscow to open Palace of Special Military Operation Veterans by end of 2027, Sobyanin says
In short
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on 21 October that a Palace of Special Military Operation Veterans will open in the city by the end of 2027. It will be set up on the basis of a social rehabilitation centre at Yekaterininsky Park, which has been under reconstruction since January 2026.
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Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on 21 October that a Palace of Special Military Operation (SVO) Veterans will open in Yekaterininsky Park by the end of 2027, TASS and Interfax reported. Interfax said he made the statement while inspecting the progress of the work. [ 1 , 2 ]
According to Interfax, the Palace will be set up on the basis of a social rehabilitation centre. Events for combatants, including rehabilitation, will be held there, and veterans' families will be able to get the help they need. Meduza quoted Sobyanin as saying the key idea of the updated model is to combine active socialisation with advanced rehabilitation methods without taking a person away from work and family, so the emphasis is on flexible, day and short-term formats. [ 2 , 4 ]
Interfax, citing the mayor's office, said reconstruction of the centre began in January 2026 and covers two three-storey buildings with a total area of 22,000 square metres. Kommersant, also citing the mayor's office, said the centre is named after V. G. Mikhailov and will have halls for group yoga, pilates and martial arts classes, a walking school to help participants regain lost skills, art therapy and handicraft workshops, libraries and dance classes. Interfax said the centre will also offer preventive health services and adaptive physical education, with dietitians, endocrinologists and sports instructors. [ 2 , 3 ]
The outlets differ on the timing and location. Kommersant said the complex will open to visitors by the end of 2027, while Meduza said the reconstruction is planned to be completed by then. Kommersant described the centre as located next to Yekaterininsky Park, while Meduza reported that it is in the park. [ 3 , 4 ]
Interfax also reported that Sobyanin looked at the landscaping of Yekaterininsky Park, which he called one of the oldest parks in Moscow. He said the city decided on full restoration and reconstruction of the park and would finish it by the end of this year. The mayor's office said the work began in December 2025 and covers about 17 hectares in the Meshchansky district. [ 2 ]
Meduza added that in February 2026 Sobyanin spoke about plans for the park and said they would include a barrier-free environment for veterans. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
The project shows the city building a dedicated rehabilitation and support site for participants in the special military operation and their families. The documents give no cost or further details on how it will be run.
Key facts
- Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the Palace of Special Military Operation (SVO) Veterans will open in Moscow's Yekaterininsky Park by the end of 2027. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The Palace will be created on the basis of a social rehabilitation centre, where reconstruction began in January 2026. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Two three-storey buildings with a total area of 22,000 square metres will be renovated. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The emphasis will be on flexible, day and short-term formats. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Landscaping of Yekaterininsky Park, about 17 hectares in the Meshchansky district, began in December 2025. [ 2 ]
- Sobyanin said the park's reconstruction will be finished by the end of this year. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Sobyanin announced that the Palace of SVO Veterans will be created in Moscow and open by the end of 2027. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The Palace will be based on an existing social rehabilitation centre, where reconstruction started in January 2026. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The reconstruction covers two three-storey buildings with a total area of 22,000 square metres. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the end-2027 date refers to the opening of the Palace or to the completion of the reconstruction. Kommersant says the complex will open to visitors by the end of 2027, while Meduza says the reconstruction is planned to be completed by then.
- Where exactly the rehabilitation centre stands relative to the park. Kommersant says the centre named after V. G. Mikhailov is located next to Yekaterininsky Park, while Meduza and Sobyanin's quoted remarks place it in the park.