Putin spoke at an enlarged meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry board. Main
On Monday, December 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended an extended meeting of the Defense Ministry board. The head of state discussed with representatives of the ministry the issues of the special operation in Ukraine, cooperation with Western countries, modernization of the Russian Armed Forces and much more. Read more in the material "Izvestia".
Putin on the progress of the special operation in Ukraine
During his speech at a meeting of the board of the Ministry of Defense, Putin noted that 2024 became a landmark year in achieving the goals of the special military operation in Ukraine.
"Thanks to the professionalism and courage of our soldiers, the heroic work of defense enterprises and truly nationwide support of the army and navy, Russian troops firmly own the strategic initiative on the entire line of contact. This year alone, 189 settlements have been liberated," the head of state said.
The President thanked all the servicemen who are fighting on the front line, as well as the personnel of the Ministry of Defense, Rosgvardia, special services and other law enforcement agencies, who clearly carry out their tasks despite their complexity.
The Russian leader also honored the memory of the fallen servicemen with a minute of silence.
Putin on the crimes of the Kiev regime
During a meeting of the board of the Russian Defense Ministry, Putin pointed to the illegitimacy of the Kiev regime, which is "losing the signs of statehood." At the same time, the head of state emphasized that Russia was not fighting against the Ukrainian people, but against the neo-Nazi regime that has been ruling Ukraine since 2014.
"All the troubles of both Ukraine and Russia began after this bloody state, anti-constitutional coup. It still matters today, because these people who are in power, they commit crimes every day - against their own people and against ours. This regime is losing the signs of statehood," he said.
The head of state suggested that the next crime of the Kiev regime could be the lowering of the mobilization age to 18.
"This is exactly a crime, because even if you reduce it to 14 years old, as in Hitler's Germany <...>, it will not change the situation on the battlefield," the Russian leader stressed.
Putin on the breakthrough on the line of contact
During the meeting, Putin also recalled that in 2023, the number of volunteers who signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry exceeded 300,000 people. This year, according to the president, the number of volunteers reached 430 thousand and continues to grow.
"Thanks to such an attitude to the fate of their country, to the fate of their children, we have what I said and what the Minister [of Defense of Russia Andrei Belousov] talked about. In fact, this is a fracture on the line of contact, and <...> a complete interception of the strategic initiative," the head of state said.
Putin on the situation in Kursk Region
During an extended meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry board, Putin called the invasion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) into the Kursk region a crime against the Russian people. At the same time, the head of state noted that both Russian and foreign experts called what was happening in this region an adventure, as the actions of the Kiev regime did not make sense from the military point of view.
"From the point of view of a crime against the people of Russia, these are obvious things, this is a crime. Especially the suffering of the civilian population," he said.
The President emphasized that the Russian Armed Forces should throw the enemy out of the country's territory. At the same time, the task of justice bodies is to record all crimes of the AFU, especially against the civilian population, the duty of special services is to find and punish criminals.
Putin on the activities of the U.S. and NATO
At a meeting of the board of the Russian Defense Ministry, Putin drew attention to the continuing unstable military and political situation in the world, including in the Middle East. He also pointed to the attempts of the current U.S. administration and its allies to maintain global dominance by imposing their rules, which are constantly changing, on the world community.
"As a matter of fact, there is only one stable rule - no rules for those who do this, for those who consider themselves at the head of the whole world, for those who consider themselves representatives of the Lord on earth. Although they do not believe in God themselves," the President said.
Putin also drew attention to the fact that the USA continues to pump weapons and money into the virtually illegitimate Kiev regime, send mercenaries and military advisers to Ukraine, thus encouraging the escalation of the conflict. The head of state noted that at the same time Washington was using the "mythical Russian threat" to intimidate its population.
At the same time, the Russian leader emphasized, NATO countries continue to increase military expenditures, and strike groups of the alliance's troops are being formed near Russia's borders. According to him, the number of US troops in Europe has already exceeded 100,000.
The president added that the North Atlantic alliance has long gone beyond its so-called historical zone of responsibility, building up its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Putin on US deployment of high-precision missile systems
Speaking at a meeting of the board of the Russian Defense Ministry, Putin also expressed concern over the US activities to create and prepare for the deployment of long-range missiles near Russia's borders. The president recalled that such measures were previously prohibited by the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles, which was terminated at the initiative of the United States.
"We have repeatedly stated that the rupture of this treaty will lead to negative consequences for the entire global security, but emphasized that we will not deploy medium-range and shorter-range missiles until American weapons of this kind appear in any region of the world," the head of state said.
Putin emphasized that the Russian side will respond comprehensively to threats related to the deployment of U.S. medium-range missile systems in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. He added that it is important to ensure timely detection of the launch of such missiles and their interception, as well as to fine-tune mechanisms for the serial production and deployment of domestic strike systems of this kind.
"Russia's newest new weapon is the Oreshnik medium-range missile system. It was successfully used in November in response to strikes on our country's territory using Western weapons. <...> The serial production of such complexes to protect the security of Russia and our allies should be ensured in the near future," the president pointed out.
Putin on the use of nuclear weapons
During his speech at a meeting of the board of the Russian Defense Ministry, Putin called the strategic nuclear forces one of the main tools for preserving stability and protecting Russia's sovereignty.
"We will continue to support their potential and balanced development, work on the creation of new systems and complexes of deterrent forces. Along with this, it is important to keep non-strategic nuclear forces on constant alert, to continue the practice of holding exercises to practice their use," the head of state said.
The President also recalled the renewal of the principles of the state policy on the use of nuclear weapons, emphasizing that the Russian side "does not rattle" nuclear weapons, but pursues a policy of deterrence.
Putin on the development of the Russian Armed Forces and introduction of new technologies
During his speech at a meeting of the Defense Ministry board, Putin noted that amid growing geopolitical tensions, Russia is forced to take additional measures to ensure its own security and that of its allies. According to the president, this is being done "carefully and in a balanced manner" in order not to drag the country into a full-scale arms race.
"We are paying serious attention to improving the combat composition of the armed forces and building up their capabilities. <...> The authorized strength of the armed forces has been raised to 1.5 million servicemen," the head of state said.
The Russian leader also noted the high pace of re-equipping the army and navy with modern weapons and equipment. According to him, the troops are now receiving advanced robotic complexes, including those using artificial intelligence technologies. These include reconnaissance and attack drones, uncrewed boats and robotic platforms of multi-purpose application.
In addition, Putin called for more active implementation of the experience gained during special operations in the combat training of military personnel and in the programs of higher military educational institutions. This experience, the president added, should be taken into account when determining the priority areas of development of domestic weapons and equipment.
The head of state also pointed to the need to increase the production of robotic complexes and unmanned systems of various classes and types.
"At the beginning of the special operation we had problems in this sphere. Some samples turned out to be expensive and difficult to operate. Today, several thousand drones of various purposes are being delivered to the troops. We need to further improve their combat and operational characteristics," he said.
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