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Operational developments: Putin discussed with the soldiers their needs on the front line
Russia will increase the force of retaliatory strikes to discourage Ukraine from attacking civilian targets. This was stated by Vladimir Putin on June 12 at a meeting with military personnel participating in his military. On Russia Day, the president gathered fighters in the Kremlin to hear assessments of what is happening at the front. The military personnel drew the attention of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief to the dominance of enemy drones and the need to support the so-called national defense industry. Other topics include Russia's confrontation with the collective West, the promotion of the Russian Armed Forces, and work on a domestic satellite constellation.
Meeting with the soldiers of the assault troops
On Russia Day, Vladimir Putin met in the Catherine Hall of the Kremlin with participants in a special military operation — soldiers of assault units. The President regularly communicates with representatives of various branches of the armed forces, from ordinary soldiers to the highest-level commanders.
— I just wanted to see you, to thank you. And I ask you to convey these words of gratitude to all the men, to all our fighters who are with you. I wanted to meet with you separately today, on Russia Day, because you are the people who, like our other military personnel, are directly involved in the defense of the Motherland, the defense of the Fatherland, and the defense of Russia. This is your day, Russia Day," the president said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting with participants of a special military operation in the Kremlin.
The Head of State asked the fighters not to hesitate to express their assessments of what is happening and their wishes, what and how should be done additionally so that the task could be solved "reliably, efficiently, with minimal damage to us and with maximum effect."
However, the meeting did not begin with questions about the technical equipment of the army or the discussion of the situation at the front. The main thing that worried the servicemen at the table was the perpetuation of the memory of the fallen heroes, in particular, the Hero of Russia, Senior Lieutenant Ochir-Goryaev. He died on June 4 in a war zone.
Vladimir Putin knew the fighter: Ochir-Goryaev personally told the president during a Direct Line about the liberation of Seversk, and then met with him in Moscow. Vladimir Putin remembered him as a bright man and said that it was necessary to perpetuate the names of fallen soldiers not only in the names of military units, but also in the names of streets, schools and other facilities.
"It's not necessary for them, it's necessary for us, the living, and for future generations," the head of state stressed.
Hero of Russia, Senior Lieutenant Naran Ochir-Goryaev
The soldiers of the SVO openly spoke to the Supreme Commander about the situation at the front. In particular, over the past four years, the nature of the special operation has changed dramatically — "it has become more technologically advanced and deadly," the military say. And it is important for the Russian army to achieve military and technical superiority over the enemy.
The Head of State confirmed that all NATO countries, without exception, are already increasing their military efforts. At the moment, Russia is practically single-handedly opposing the entire collective West. At the same time, it was the alliance that unleashed hostilities in Ukraine, and Russia has been trying to stop it for eight years, he recalled. Now, NATO wants to bring the war against Russia to a victorious end, but they quickly realized that it was impossible to inflict a strategic defeat on us. The head of state gave advice to his enemies: "Do not fight with Russia. Never try to do that."
— Because our multinational, cohesive people understand their responsibility to future generations, to our children and grandchildren. There are quite young people here, and God forbid you will have grandchildren, and so on, future generations. We have to think about it. No one else needs Russia, only we are able to protect it, strengthen it and create conditions for its confident development," he said.
Russian forces are moving forward daily and systematically and will achieve the liberation of all territories, the president stressed. According to his estimates, the grouping of the Russian Armed Forces in the area of the special military operation exceeds 700 thousand people.
Fighting drones as the most important task
One of the most pressing topics of discussion was the widespread digitalization of the front and the dominance of enemy drones. The military personnel admit that the intensity of the use of UAVs by the enemy has radically changed the rules of combat. Vladimir Putin called the fight against drones one of the most important tasks.
"The problem with drones is clear, they hang in the air like flies, not allowing fighters to raise their heads," Vladimir Putin stressed.
According to the president, the enemy is expanding the use of aircraft-type UAVs to split Russian society and cause economic damage to Russia, but he will not be able to create serious problems for the country. Russia will increase the force of retaliatory strikes to discourage Ukraine from attacking civilian targets, the head of state promised.
The President noted that as soon as the danger posed by drones can be neutralized, the intensity of the enemy's shooting attacks drops sharply, since his tactics are largely tied to unmanned networks. In order to quickly extinguish their activity, the Ministry of Defense plans to completely close the needs of assault troops for the most effective portable electronic warfare equipment.
According to Andrey Belousov, the agency supplies systems focused on weight and a wide range of frequencies. This is a crucial point, because the enemy regularly changes the operating parameters. Russian specialists are learning how to act proactively, quickly adjusting equipment to new introductory ones.
At the same time, the volume of deliveries of delivery drones is growing. Last year, the military actually had one crude model (the "80th product"), but now the range has expanded to more than ten high-quality modifications. The total supply of such heavy drones, capable of transporting from 10 to 40 kg of cargo, will amount to about 20 thousand, which will greatly facilitate the supply of advanced positions.
However, at the meeting, the fighters noticed that the enemy's heavy hexacopters of the Baba Yaga type were controlled via Starlink satellites, and they asked about the prospects for creating similar domestic complexes capable of operating via a secure satellite channel.
The Head of State assured that the creation of a low-orbit space group, which will provide reliable communications and navigation for heavy drones, is in full swing in Russia. The first vehicles were launched into orbit back in 2023, and recently another launch took place, adding 16 more vehicles to the system. Vladimir Putin stressed that this development is in no way inferior to its foreign counterparts, and in some respects even surpasses them. The main task now is to scale and accelerate a full—fledged launch. The President stressed that Russia has already developed weapons much better than those of the enemy.
The creation of an independent component base is the only strategic decision that will fully protect the UAV sector from sanctions pressure and fluctuations in the global market, explained military expert Dmitry Kornev.
— The topic of creating a departmental satellite network similar to Starlink, which is being discussed in the public field, requires a realistic assessment of the scale. The 16 spacecraft launched into orbit is only the first, pilot step. In order for the system to work at full capacity and ensure uninterrupted communication, the orbital constellation must consist of hundreds of satellites," Dmitry Kornev emphasized.
Prospects of the "national defense industry"
A significant part of the discussion concerned the so—called national defense industry - small private laboratories and engineering teams that create unique novelties.
Now the Ministry of Defense has removed excessive administration. Developers of effective systems receive funds directly from the government. The main criterion of the purchase is the real benefit on the battlefield, the protection of the life and health of military personnel, and not just the development of budgets. Any promising new product (be it the tactical electronic warfare "Neighbor KN", "Countryman" or new types of drones) is first sent to elite units. After that, it immediately goes into mass production.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and military personnel participating in a special military operation
At the meeting, it was also proposed to expand the range of supplies: add factory-made pistol shotguns to combat FPV drones, special shot cartridges for standard 5.45 mm machine guns and light motorcycles (ATVs, electric scooters) for stealthy movement.
The President promised that the most sought-after positions would definitely be included in the state defense order. In addition, the production of Zarnitsa night sights and thermal imagers for the Verba and Igla portable anti-aircraft systems will be scaled up in order to effectively shoot down aircraft-type drones at any time of the day.
After such meetings, it is immediately clear that the head of state is genuinely interested in how the soldiers on the front line live, the combat veteran noted in a conversation with Izvestia.
— Everyone understands that the president's order will be executed as soon as possible. You won't have to wait for months — the team will instantly descend vertically from the Minister of Defense to a specific battalion, and the guys will receive the same sights, glasses, or communications equipment they requested. Moreover, such meetings have a powerful motivating effect. When the soldiers return to their units and share their impressions, and then real help comes to the unit, it is enormously uplifting," said the combat veteran.
One of these is the basic needs of the fighters, which the leadership keeps under control. The foot crossings of stormtroopers sometimes reach 15 km per day, so reducing the weight of ammunition is a priority. Vladimir Putin assured that Andrei Belousov personally controls the quality of uniforms, communications and reducing the physical load on the fighters. The experience of veterans on the front line will become the basis for modernization.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
