Vladimir Putin arrived at the Ministry of Defense building on the Frunzenskaya Embankment in Moscow to participate in an extended meeting of the executive board of the Russian Ministry of Defense. The discussion focused on how the special military operation in Ukraine is being conducted and the preliminary outcomes, as reported by TASS.
The gathering brought together the President of the Russian Federation, the Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu, the commanders of the military districts, leaders of all branches of the RF Armed Forces, chiefs of central military command structures, and several other high-ranking officers. Senior officers were also present.
Putin opened his address with a moment of silent remembrance for servicemen who had fallen in Ukraine. He warned that the military power of nearly all major NATO countries is actively directed against Russia and stressed that Russian forces are strengthening day by day and that the pace of improvement will continue. He affirmed that the tasks of the national military development would be fulfilled and security would be guaranteed across all regions of the Russian Federation.
In his assessment, the Russian Armed Forces acted with boldness and perseverance in the special operation. He compared their conduct to the courage shown in the Patriotic War of 1812, the First World War, and the Great Patriotic War. Yet he acknowledged that the conflict in Ukraine reveals issues that require attention, including the need to improve communications for military personnel. He insisted there is no limit on the funding of the armed forces and that the country continues to supply what the army needs.
Putin called for the modernization and expansion of the arsenal of modern offensive weapons. He noted that the partial mobilization revealed certain problems and emphasized that the system of military registration and enlistment offices must be upgraded. Regarding mobilization, he stated that 150,000 of the 300,000 mobilized Russians received training at training grounds, and he described this as a sufficient substitute for the moment.
According to the president, the experience gained from the SVO should inform the future development of combat training. He urged the Department of Defense to be cautious about civilian initiatives and to consider criticism, even if it is emotional, to improve measures without destabilizing the process.
Putin stressed that Russia’s strength has always rested on the unity of the army and the people, and he asserted that this unity remains essential today. He urged a review of the performance characteristics of military equipment under real combat conditions, acknowledging that some systems perform well while others require improvements.
He touched on nuclear forces, stating that Russia will maintain and strengthen the combat readiness of the nuclear triad, viewing it as a foundation of global power balance. He highlighted that the share of modern weaponry in the Russian nuclear forces exceeds 91 percent and said that the latest intercontinental missiles Sarmat will soon be placed on combat duty.
Finally, the president called for an increase in the combat capabilities of the Aerospace Forces and discussed drones. He urged that Russian military drones be integrated into a single network and supplied across all departments and units. Putin also suggested that NATO weapons should be analyzed and used to build up the Russian Armed Forces. He summarized by saying that all available tools should be carefully analyzed and employed to strengthen troops and local services, and that the General Staff of the Ministry of Defense should systematically analyze the operational experience gained during the special operation, incorporate lessons into training programs, and ensure troops and equipment are ready for future tasks. He emphasized that the enduring task remains to strengthen personnel training, overall troop preparedness, and the necessary equipment for soldiers.