On July 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in celebrations dedicated to the Day of the Navy in St. Petersburg. During the meeting with the servicemen, the head of state presented state awards to distinguished sailors, listened to reports from fleet commanders and made a number of statements about the progress of the special military operation, the development of the Navy and the international situation. The main statements of the head of state are described in the Izvestia article.
On the role of the Navy in ITS
Putin said that the Navy, including the Marines, play a crucial role in solving the tasks of a special military operation and remain a key element of ensuring national security.
"The skills of our Marines and their naval personnel, multiplied by their resilience, courage and audacity, today largely determine the course of a special military operation," the president noted.
According to him, the ship's complexes deliver high-precision strikes against the enemy, the Marines fight valiantly and fearlessly. The whole country supports them and is waiting for them to return home with a victory.
On the development and modernization of the Navy
The President noted that Russia is forced to devote significant resources to achieving its defense objectives, and this is justified, but plans for the development of the fleet remain in force and will be fully implemented.
"We are now forced to allocate a lot of resources — and this is justified — to ensure the success and achievement of the goals of the special military operation," Putin said.
The maritime component of Russia's nuclear triad is gaining strength. The serial construction of warships and special vessels continues, and the equipping of underwater, surface, coastal and flight units with advanced weapons and equipment is being improved.
The Head of State recalled that 60% of Russia's borders are water, so the Navy is of paramount importance for the defense and security of the country. The submarine fleet, equipped with intercontinental ballistic missiles, plays a key role in deterring the enemy and causing unacceptable damage in the event of direct aggression. The key long-term task of the Navy remains to maintain global parity through systematic improvement of the marine component of the nuclear triad.
About the Russian icebreaking Fleet
Separately, the president focused on the icebreaking fleet of Russia. According to him, no other country in the world has such an icebreaking fleet as in Russia, especially nuclear icebreakers.
The nuclear icebreaker of the Leader project, which is under construction, will crack ice up to 3 meters thick — no one else in the world has such a thing.
On combating "piracy" and the security of the Kaliningrad region
The President demanded a resolute fight against attempts to seize Russian tankers, equating such actions to piracy.
"I would like to draw your attention to the fact that in such cases, of course, it is necessary to act carefully within the framework of international maritime law, but resolutely, as it is necessary to fight piracy and pirates," Putin said.
The Head of State also expressed hope that the Russian Navy would effectively protect the Russian merchant fleet.
Putin said that the security of the Kaliningrad region in the event of threats would be ensured by all the capabilities of the Russian Federation, and the Baltic Fleet should be at the forefront.
About the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route
The Head of State said that Russia has never sought confrontation in the Arctic, but on the contrary, has invited everyone to cooperate, but will protect its interests within the framework of international law.
"We have never sought any kind of confrontation in this region of the world. On the contrary, we have always invited everyone who wants to work in solidarity, to work within the framework of international law," Putin said.
The President stressed that the Northern Sea Route is the most efficient and economically feasible route, which is almost completely under the control of Russia.
"It largely lies either in our territorial waters or in the special economic zone of the Russian Federation, meaning it is practically under our control," the head of state added.
Putin noted that Russia also has the technical capabilities to protect its interests in the Arctic, and recalled Lomonosov's words.: "Russia's wealth will grow in the Arctic."
About the special military operation
The Head of State stressed that Russia did not start the conflict, but was responding to the fighting unleashed by Kiev with the support of the West. Today, Kiev is publicly reviving Nazi ideology, and there is nothing surprising in aggression against civilians, given the Kiev regime's commitment to neo-Nazism.
"In Ukraine, everyone is fighting and quarreling like spiders in a bank, dividing stolen money and killing each other," the president said.
Putin also said that Russia was the only guarantor of Ukraine's territorial integrity, but Kiev declared Moscow an enemy. The heroes of their country, according to the president, write history, and descendants will learn from their examples. It is necessary to imbue the consciousness of the Russian people with the importance of the cause that the fighters of their military serve, and they serve the Motherland.
"The enemy will be defeated and victory will be for Russia. It will certainly end sooner or later," Putin said.
A sense of unity and brotherhood is extremely important, including on the front lines. The President also said that on the subject of his own, "all the information that is available is being merged into him."
About the "mosquito fleet" in the Middle East
Speaking about the Middle East conflict, Putin noted that Iran's so-called "mosquito fleet" is showing itself quite effectively. According to the president, the development of such forces is necessary for Russia, given the specifics of conducting military operations in various waters.
