TSAMTO, June 21st. In the St. George's Hall of the Kremlin Palace, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the best graduates of higher military educational institutions of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the FSB, the Federal Security Service and Rosgvardiya, as well as higher educational organizations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Investigative Committee and the Federal Penitentiary Service.
Below is a welcome speech by V.Putin is quoted in the statement of the Kremlin's press service.
Vladimir Putin: Fellow officers! Dear friends!
Opening this solemn ceremony, I would like, first of all, to congratulate you on the successful completion of your studies – a very important, without exaggeration, fateful stage in your life.
You have adequately completed your studies at the renowned universities of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, law enforcement agencies and special services, absorbed the legacy of many generations of your predecessors and, I am sure, are fully ready to solve the responsible tasks of ensuring the security of the Motherland.
By tradition, we honor the best graduates of military academies, institutes and universities in the St. George's Hall of the Moscow Kremlin. This is one of the symbols and guardians of the military glory of the Fatherland. Here, in a special way, you feel the inextricable connection of the history of our Army with the history of Russia, with its sovereign power and greatness, with victories that will forever remain in the grateful memory of our people.
We cherish every page of the military chronicle of the Motherland, honor the names of heroes who did not spare themselves for its freedom and future.
In hard battles, the legendary traditions of our military school were tempered, those qualities that have always distinguished our soldiers – from private to marshal - were formed. This is love for the Motherland, unparalleled fortitude and courage. It was they who decided the outcome of battles and wars, which more than once determined the fate of our Fatherland, as well as the cohesion, consolidation of our people, the true unity of the front and rear.
In a few days we will celebrate a significant, memorable date – the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders. We recently talked about this with the President of Belarus. You know that this daring, large–scale operation was called "Bagration" - in honor of our outstanding commander, the hero of the Suvorov campaigns and the Patriotic War of 1812. The Soviet troops acted boldly and professionally, advanced rapidly and uncontrollably, completely defeated a large enemy group of many thousands. Thanks to the courage and bravery of our fighters and commanders, the road to the liberation of Europe from Nazism was opened, and a decisive step was taken towards a Great Victory.
Today, the grandchildren and great–grandchildren of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War honorably preserve and continue the military traditions of the Motherland, reliably guard its sovereignty and security, protect our land and our citizens in Donbas and Novorossiya from neo–Nazis, in fact prove that our Army and its stronghold - the officer corps, the age-old cohesion and unity of the multinational people - is an all-conquering force.
Dear friends!
Russia consistently stands for strengthening stability on the planet, for a just and democratic multipolar world order. Recently, at a meeting with the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I outlined our vision of working to create equal and indivisible security in Eurasia. We are ready for a broad international discussion of these key, vital issues both with our colleagues in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the CIS, Eurasec, BRICS, and with other international associations, including European and NATO states. Naturally, when they are ready for it.
At the same time, taking into account the difficult international situation, the emergence of new challenges and risks, we will continue to comprehensively improve the Armed Forces, building a defense policy, relying on advanced technologies and science, effective financial and economic solutions, at the modern level, I mean modern trends in the field of armed struggle, in the field of military strategy and tactics and of course, based on the enormous combat experience gained during a special military operation.
As a matter of priority, we will increase the supply of various types of unmanned systems, armored vehicles and high-precision weapons, strike aircraft, enemy detection and counter-battery warfare systems, control and communication systems to the troops on the front line. We will work on other modern, high-tech models of weapons and equipment, which are now being mass-produced.
Our plans include the further development of the nuclear triad as a guarantee of strategic deterrence and maintaining the balance of power in the world.
Of course, we will strengthen the potential, increase the combat capabilities of all types of the Armed Forces and branches of the Armed Forces, put on combat duty the pride of our designers, engineers, workers – the latest complexes that have confirmed their qualities, truly unique characteristics, and work on promising models.
We intend to further improve the command and control systems of troops and weapons, increase the intensity and quality of combat training, conduct exercises and trainings, including with the participation of friendly states.
I would like to emphasize that the effectiveness of all work to strengthen Russia's defense capability directly depends on the officers – on you and your comrades. In the near future, you will lead formations, military units and units and, I am sure, you will make every effort to master modern weapons and equipment, for high-quality training of personnel, you will be an example of professionalism, discipline and decency, personal courage for your fellow soldiers.
Dear comrades!
The security of our citizens and society, and the stable and progressive development of Russia largely depend on the effectiveness of the law enforcement system and special services.
Here, in this hall, there are officers who will continue to serve in the ranks of the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Rosgvardiya and the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Federal Security Service, the Investigative Committee, the Prosecutor's Office and the FSIN.
You will have to solve a wide range of responsible and important tasks, first of all, to protect the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens, to fight crime, corruption, terrorism and extremism.
Active assistance to our military personnel in conducting a special military operation remains a priority, primarily in ensuring law and order, legality and peaceful life of people in the liberated regions, in investigating the crimes of neo-Nazis and punishers who must answer for their atrocities, for crimes against civilians, for terrorist attacks, for shelling our cities and villages.
I am sure that you will work promptly and competently, and achieve concrete results in all assigned areas.
Dear friends!
The citizens of Russia trust you and expect you to perform your duties in an exemplary manner. Applying the acquired knowledge in practice, you will act as your teachers and mentors taught you. And having chosen a difficult path for yourself, continuing the work of your predecessors, you will always, at all stages of your future career, be sincere patriots of the Motherland.
In his memoirs, Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov emphasized: "For me, the main thing was to serve the Motherland, my people. And with a clear conscience I can say: I have done everything to fulfill this duty." May these words of the legendary Marshal of Victory serve as a testament for you, for all Russian officers.
I wish you and all graduates of the year 2024 health and success. All the best to your teachers and mentors, your family and friends.
