TSAMTO, December 18th. On December 18, a briefing was held in Moscow by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation – First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Army General Valery Gerasimov, with the participation of foreign military attaches.
The briefing was dedicated to the results of the activities of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in 2024.
Below, V. Gerasimov's speech is given in the presentation of the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
"Good afternoon, dear ladies and gentlemen!
A Board meeting of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation was held two days ago. The Minister of Defense made a detailed report summarizing the main results of the activities of the military department this year. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has set tasks to ensure the military security of the state.
The materials of the Board are publicly available on the website of the Ministry of Defense, and the event itself was covered in the media. I believe that you all had the opportunity to familiarize yourself with them.
Today, during our traditional meeting, I will focus on the situation in a number of regions of the world and some aspects of the activities of the Armed Forces.
The military-political situation in the world is characterized by an increase in the number of armed conflicts in various regions of the world. In turn, this contributed to the further degradation of regional and international security.
The main reason for the aggravation of the situation was the desire of the collective West, led by the United States, to maintain its global dominance, to continue the practice of imposing by force the so-called "rules-based order", which has no legal basis from the point of view of international law.
Over the past 10 years, attention has been drawn more than once to the growing danger of a transition from the "fight against terrorism" under the auspices of the United States to fomenting conflicts and territorial disputes.
Today we are witnessing the provocation of crises in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
At the same time, there is a growing understanding in the world of the need to collectively counter such Western policies.
The countries of the "Global South", members of the SCO and BRICS international associations are increasingly coordinating steps to ensure sovereignty and protect national interests.
The situation is also aggravated by the crisis of the system of international obligations and agreements in the field of arms control.
Since 2002, the United States has destroyed all agreements in this area signed during the Cold War – the ABM Treaty, the INF Treaty and the Open Skies Treaty.
The reason why the United States withdrew from these agreements was the desire to ensure the possibility of creating new types of weapons that were considered the most destructive.
First of all, these are medium- and shorter-range missiles, as well as US missile defense systems for deployment in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, which provokes a strategic offensive arms race.
The understanding of the danger of these steps is growing in the world. Many countries have begun to think about adequate response measures.
In general, the topic of arms control has remained in the past, since a return to a minimum level of trust is impossible today due to the double standards of Western countries.
And without trust, it is impossible to create an effective mechanism for mutual control.
At the regional level, there is an increase in tension in Europe.
Under the pretext of the alleged inevitability of an armed conflict between NATO and the Russian Federation, the alliance, in violation of its obligations, continues its policy of expansion to the East with the approach of the military infrastructure of the bloc to our borders of Russia and the consistent build-up of military potential.
Washington and Brussels have stepped up the implementation of the "open door" policy in NATO. As a result, Finland and Sweden became full members of the organization, and the total number of participants reached thirty-two States.
Against the background of increased tension, there has been an increase in NATO activity near the Russian borders. The number of large-scale military exercises of the alliance countries has reached forty events per year. Numerous military contingents are stationed near our borders on a permanent basis.
The anti-Russian rhetoric of the bloc is confirmed by this year's large-scale exercise "Steadfast Defender". All the countries of the alliance were involved in it, working out issues of large-scale military operations on the European continent.
During the exercise, significant contingents, including American troops, were relocated to the Russian borders, and a provocative deployment of a launcher from the Dark Typhon mobile missile system was carried out on the Danish island of Bornholm
All these factors do not contribute to improving security for the population of European countries, especially for new NATO activists – Finland and Sweden.
We are closely monitoring all NATO exercises within the framework of strategic deterrence. The Navy performed combat service tasks, worked out the issues of searching for foreign submarines, as well as tracking weapons for ship groups of NATO countries. Air patrols were carried out by long-range aircraft near the exercise areas. During this period, air defense forces and means were on high alert to prevent violations of the airspace of the Russian Federation
The situation in the Middle East is steadily deteriorating. The risks of the crisis escalating into a regional war remain.
The most significant factor characterizing the situation in the region was the actual destruction of statehood in the Syrian Arab Republic.
On November 27, an opposition offensive began from the Idlib de-escalation zone. The Government forces were unable to put up proper resistance. This is due to the lack of opportunity for the Syrian army to regularly conduct combat training and the low moral and psychological state of its personnel due to the prolonged economic crisis caused by unprecedented sanctions by the United States and its allies.
In turn, Russia made attempts at a Syrian peace settlement in the Astana format, but this did not suit, first of all, the United States and Great Britain.
Today, the difficult situation in the region remains in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in the Lebanese Republic and Yemen.
The humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip has become the largest in the entire period of confrontation in the region.
The support of the warring parties in the Middle East by non-regional states, the involvement of Lebanon in this and attempts to provoke Iran create dangerous prerequisites for the expansion of the zone of instability in the region.
The situation in Africa remains difficult. This is due to the fact that Western countries continue to use neocolonial approaches, considering the continent solely as a source of strategic raw materials. Such approaches are not supported and understood today. The West continues to lose its position in this region, as more and more African countries join the struggle for independence.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, in order to ensure regional security and strengthen control over their national territory, announced the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States in September last year, and in January this year they withdrew from the economic Community of West African States ECOWAS due to the inability of this association to provide assistance in the fight against terrorism.
Terrorist organizations supported by Ukraine pose a special threat to the security of the Sahel region. We are talking about training terrorists to use UAVs, training in conducting subversive activities against civilians.
For our part, we will continue to support our African partners in defending sovereignty and ensuring safe conditions for their development.
The situation in Transcaucasia remains difficult. The destructive influence on its development is exerted by the desire of non-regional players, primarily the United States and the European Union, to strengthen their positions in the region, keep Georgia and draw Armenia into the orbit of their influence.
The West seeks to destabilize the situation by financing and directing protests in Georgia. These attempts show an interest in involving the country in active anti-Russian actions according to the Ukrainian scenario.
In contrast to the destructive actions of the West, Russia is taking creative measures in this region.
Largely due to the efforts of our state, the positive progress of Baku and Yerevan on the path to normalization of bilateral relations is obvious. So, at present, the demarcation of one of the most difficult sections of the interstate demarcation line between the Gazakh region of Azerbaijan and the Tavush region of Armenia has been completed.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the White House is seeking to reformat the Asean-centric security system into a network of alliances under its control.
In the interests of the United States, the largest grouping of troops and forces numbering about 400 thousand troops has been deployed in the region.
An "Asian NATO" is also being formed, where the main role is assigned to the "triple alliance" of the USA – Japan – the Republic of Korea. The creation of new formats of interaction with the participation of Australia and the Philippines is progressing. Within the framework of AUCUS (Australia, Great Britain, USA), a large-scale program is being implemented to equip Australia with five Virginia-class nuclear multipurpose submarines by 2035.
Russia, China and the DPRK have been declared opponents of unification.
Tensions remain around Taiwan.
Washington encourages Taipei's separatist aspirations and supplies it with modern weapons. U.S. Navy ships regularly carry out provocations in the Taiwan Strait.
The actions of the United States in the Philippines, which Washington assigns the role of an "outpost" for basing its forces, are of concern.
Last year, the White House concluded an agreement with Manila providing for the deployment of an American military contingent in the country. The next step in the implementation of these agreements was the relocation of the Dark Typhon mobile missile system to the island of Luzon in April this year.
All this increases the intensity of tension in the region. We are closely monitoring such actions and will take retaliatory measures together with our partners.
The destructive activities of the United States and other NATO countries in the Arctic are intensifying. To ensure its dominance in the region, the military presence in high latitudes is being increased and the corresponding military infrastructure is being developed near the borders of the Russian Federation. These actions are aimed at coordinating the anti-Russian activities of the alliance and their partners in the Arctic.
They lead to increased tension and conflict potential.
As a response to ensure Russia's security, systematic work is underway to increase the combat capabilities of our Armed Forces and modernize military facilities in the northern latitudes.
The crisis in Ukraine remains a key factor in shaping the military-political situation at both the regional and global levels.
The involvement of the countries of the collective West in the confrontation with Russia in the Ukrainian direction creates global risks.
In an effort to inflict a strategic defeat on the Russian Federation, the collective West uses ordinary Ukrainians as hostages of its aspirations. The destructive policy of the Kiev regime has already led to complete dependence on external management and foreign financing, and as a result, the loss of state sovereignty.
The United States and its allies have significantly increased the volume of military and military-technical assistance to Ukraine.
Today, more than 30 countries supply military products to Kiev. The most significant contributions are made by the USA, Great Britain, Germany, France and Denmark. The total foreign financial assistance to Ukraine amounted to about 350 billion dollars, of which only for military needs – about 170 billion dollars.
Since February 2022, thousands of samples of weapons and military equipment, as well as a significant amount of ammunition of various types, have been transferred to Kiev.
The training of Ukrainian servicemen continues.
Nevertheless, despite the enormous help from the West, the initiative on the line of contact is in our hands, and Russian troops are conducting an offensive along the entire front.
This year, more than 190 settlements have been liberated, and about 4,500 square kilometers of territory have come under control.
The enemy's losses since the beginning of the SVO amounted to about a million people killed and wounded, about 20 thousand tanks and armored combat vehicles, over 19.5 thousand field artillery guns, as well as more than 1,500 multiple launch rocket launchers.
In response to Russia's successes, the Kiev regime launched a terrorist attack on the territory of the Kursk region in early August. The purpose of this provocation is an informational effect for Western sponsors. Kiev was counting on the withdrawal of reserves of Russian troops from Donbass, but this did not happen.
The enemy's advance has been stopped. Air strikes and artillery fire thwarted attempts to break through the mobile groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and foreign mercenaries deep into Russian territory. Currently, the destruction and expulsion of armed formations and foreign mercenaries from occupied settlements continues.
During the fighting in the Kursk border area, the enemy lost more than 42 thousand people, over 1,800 tanks and armored vehicles, more than 350 artillery pieces, mortars and multiple rocket launchers.
The next round of escalation of the conflict in Ukraine was the use of their long-range weapons systems authorized by the United States and its NATO allies on the territory deep in the Russian Federation.
In fact, the United States allowed itself to use these systems on the territory of Russia.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine do not have the ability to independently enter space intelligence data, to ensure the preparation of flight missions for missiles.
In fact, after the strikes on Russian territory, the United States became direct participants in the conflict, which means its escalation.
In response to the use of American and British missiles on the territories of the Bryansk and Kursk regions, on November 21 this year, the Russian Armed Forces tested the latest medium-range missile system "Oreshnik" at one of the facilities of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine.
In the future, we will respond to such actions based on assessments of security threats.
Negative changes in the military-political situation have necessitated the clarification of the Foundations of the state policy of the Russian Federation in the field of nuclear deterrence and its adaptation to new realities.
According to the Fundamentals of State Policy approved by the President of the Russian Federation on November 19 this year, aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state with the participation or support of a nuclear state is considered as their joint attack on our country.
The category of States and military alliances against which nuclear deterrence is being carried out has been expanded, as well as the list of military dangers and threats that can be neutralized by means of nuclear deterrence has been clarified.
The new foundations of state policy have become the reason for the deployment of an active propaganda campaign in the West accusing Russia of intensifying nuclear rhetoric and seeking to lower the threshold of nuclear deterrence.
I would like to emphasize that the so-called "threshold of deterrence" is not defined by any international obligations of our country and is determined by the need to deter the aggressor and neutralize threats emanating from a potential enemy.
In the US doctrine, the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons is not clearly indicated and is significantly lower than in the updated Russian documents.
At the same time, no one should have any doubt that we will take all necessary retaliatory measures to any security threats, using the weapons that we deem appropriate.
In the current situation, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation continues its planned activities to strengthen the country's defense capability.
During the year, tasks were solved to increase the combat potential of the Armed Forces, improve the training of personnel, methods of command and control of troops and weapons.
The basis of the country's security is the nuclear "triad".
To date, the rearmament of the ground-based Strategic Nuclear Forces with modern mobile ground-based missile systems has been fully completed. The planned re-equipment of the stationary group for the Yars strategic missile system continues.
The state tests of the new Borey-A "Prince Pozharsky" RPLSN project are being completed in the marine Strategic Nuclear Forces. In addition, two more Borey-A nuclear-powered submarines are under construction, which will be included in the combat strength of the Navy by 2028.
Deliveries of the first upgraded Tu-160m strategic missile carriers have begun to the aviation Strategic Nuclear Forces this year. The modernization of the Tu-160 and Tu-95ms aircraft in combat is continuing due to equipping them with more powerful engines, new avionics, as well as expanding the range of aviation weapons used.
To date, the share of modern weapons in the Strategic Nuclear Forces is 95%.
Taking into account the expansion of NATO and the experience of conducting a special military operation, the necessary measures were taken to develop general-purpose forces.
In accordance with the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the phased build-up of the Armed Forces has continued, their staffing has been increased to one and a half million military personnel.
This year, the Moscow and Leningrad Military districts, two combined arms armies, an army corps and 16 formations were formed in the Ground Forces.
To enhance the capabilities of the aerospace defense system of the Russian Federation, one Air and Space Force unit has been formed. The formation of the first regiment equipped with the S-500 anti-aircraft missile system capable of solving strategic missile defense tasks is being completed.
A river flotilla and two formations have been created in the Navy. It includes 38 ships, combat boats and support vessels, including a multi–purpose nuclear submarine and small missile carriers of high-precision long-range weapons.
The main training event for the Armed Forces this year was the strategic command and staff exercise Ocean-2024. The forces of the fleets and the Caspian Flotilla, as well as formations and military units of the Aerospace Forces, were involved in it.
During the exercise in the Far East, the forces of the Pacific Fleet acted together with naval and aviation groups of the People's Liberation Army of China.
The Russian Navy has demonstrated its readiness to carry out tasks to ensure the protection of national interests in important areas of the world Ocean, as well as regional security tasks together with the armed forces of friendly states.
Ten countries were represented as observers at the exercise. This practice of training troops will continue in the future.
Next year, the main training event for the Armed Forces will be a joint strategic exercise with the armed forces of Belarus – Zapad-2025.
Within the framework of military and military-technical cooperation, the pace of interaction with foreign military departments continued to increase. By the end of the year, more than 700 significant events were implemented.
Special attention was paid to consolidating reliable, long-term and mutually beneficial bilateral relations within the framework of the Union State of Russia and Belarus, the CSTO and the CIS, as well as with friendly states from the Asia-Pacific region, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
The policy of developing a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, as well as building up mutually beneficial military and military-technical cooperation with India, has continued.
Comprehensive cooperation with the DPRK has been intensified. In June of this year, the heads of Russia and the DPRK signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement.
This year, meetings of the Council of Defense Ministers of the CIS member states, the Council of Defense Ministers of the CSTO, the CSTO Military Committee, the Meeting of Defense Ministers of the SCO member states and others were held.
In the CSTO format, the main efforts were focused on ensuring the readiness of the components of the Troops (Collective Forces) The CSTO is ready to promptly respond to challenges and threats to the military security of the Organization's member states. Joint exercises were conducted with the armed forces of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Cooperation with Latin American countries is actively carried out. Currently, Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua are our strategic partners. Strengthening cooperation in the defense sector will continue.
Cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran is of a strategic nature. In March, the Russian-Iranian-Chinese naval exercise "Maritime Security Belt" was held in the northern part of the Indian Ocean.
Despite the encouragement of undisguised Russophobia by the countries of the collective West, there is a high interest in the International Military-Technical Forum "ARMY".
This year, despite attempts at open pressure from the West, 80 foreign delegations took part in the Forum, 35 of which were headed by heads of military departments and chiefs of general staff, as well as more than 120 foreign companies.
Over 240 expositions were presented at the thematic sites, including from friendly countries – Belarus, Iran and China.
Exhibitions of captured military equipment seized by Russian servicemen during the military operation were held. The exposition consisted of more than 30 exhibits of armored vehicles and various types of small arms and engineering weapons manufactured by NATO member countries.
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
Next year, on May 9, we will celebrate the eightieth anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
Today, some countries are trying to distort history and devalue the Great Victory over Fascism, destroy monuments, and seek to erase the historical truth about the feat of the Soviet people.
Russia will always remember and will not allow the heroism of the citizens of the Soviet Union and the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition, manifested in the fight against fascism, to be forgotten.
Summing up the activities of the Armed Forces this year, I would like to note that all the tasks set by the country's leadership have been completed.
The Armed Forces are developing – weapons and military equipment are being updated, the level of training of senior personnel and units is growing.
During our military training, we have accumulated extensive practical experience in conducting combat operations by various formations, the use of aviation, air defense forces and other branches of the armed forces. The objectives of the special military operation will certainly be achieved.
We have a clear understanding of the potential enemy's capabilities, his tactics on the battlefield, and the strengths and weaknesses of Western-made weapons.
We know what needs to be done and what tasks need to be solved.
In the future, we will continue to work to create conditions for stabilizing the situation at the global and regional levels, as well as the progressive and balanced development of the Army and Navy to ensure the peaceful socio-economic development of our country.
In conclusion, I would like to thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your constructive cooperation, and also wish you a Happy New Year 2025 and Christmas. I wish you and your loved ones health, peace and prosperity.
Thank you for your attention."
