Putin highlights Russia’s military strength and international cooperation
During a recent forum, the Russian president emphasized pride in the country’s army and navy, noting that troops from Donbass joined forces with Russian forces to uphold the peaceful life of Russia as well as the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics during the ongoing special operation in Ukraine. He urged forum attendees and military personnel from various nations to recognize the innovations taking place within Russia’s defense sector and to consider the country’s advances with an eye toward future security.
Speaking about international partnerships, the president underscored the significant role of allies, partners, and like-minded countries across continents. He framed these states as those that do not yield to perceived dominance by any hegemon. He praised their leaders for displaying a resolute independence and for pursuing development paths that respect international law while addressing global and regional security challenges. The president also highlighted Russia’s ongoing cooperation with nations in Latin America, Asia, and Africa as a cornerstone of its foreign policy and defense strategy.
He outlined that Moscow stands ready to offer its partners a broad spectrum of modern weapons, from small arms to armored vehicles, artillery, military aircraft, and unmanned systems. The president noted that the forum provides foreign experts with a clear view of Russia’s defense industry, including advances in artificial intelligence, information and radio-electronic technologies, and the work of Russian design bureaus and scientific schools that drive these innovations forward.
Putin also mentioned plans to develop new models of weapons and equipment in collaboration with allies. He pointed to cooperative efforts already underway within the CSTO and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as valuable examples of how broad military-technical collaboration can bolster the security and stability of countries and the wider world through shared capabilities and mutual responsibility.
He praised weapons systems as reliable, high-performing, and capable of real-world use in combat. He asserted that these systems are valued by military professionals around the world for their dependability and efficiency, with many having seen combat effectiveness in real operations.
Step by step progress
The president also acknowledged the professionalism and courage of the Russian armed forces involved in the special military operation in Ukraine, stating that their people take pride in their army and navy. He described the forces as upholding their duties with resolve, and, alongside Donbass defenders, faithfully pursuing the tasks set before them to bring stability to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions step by step.
No analogue
Attention was drawn to promising future weapon models designed to shape the trajectory of the Armed Forces. The president spoke about high-precision weapons, robotic systems, and combat platforms based on new physical principles. He claimed that many of these developments are years, perhaps decades ahead of foreign rivals and offer superior tactical and technical characteristics.
Lessons from the past
The president announced that the International Anti-Fascist Congress would be held as part of the forum agenda. He reflected on the grave lessons of Nazism in the 20th century and urged a steadfast remembrance of the millions who suffered and perished during the Second World War. He stressed the obligation to counter distortions of history and to oppose neo-Nazism, russophobia, and racism in all their forms.
Forum developments
Among the highlights, the Russian company Tactical Missiles will present a new aviation cruise missile. The Kh-69 is designed to engage a wide array of ground targets at known coordinates, including those with limited radar, infrared, or optical contrast. Its maximum range reaches about 290 kilometers, and it can be deployed by multiple Russian multirole fighters. The missile’s development began at Raduga GosMKB and involved design chief A. Ya. Bereznyak as part of KTRV.
A second system, the Kh-MD-E short-range guided missile, will also be showcased. Capable of operating with unmanned aerial vehicles, this weapon is designed to destroy both small, single objects and larger group targets during day or night operations. It is offered in three variants: Kh-MD-E1 with a semi-active laser guidance head, Kh-MD-E2 with an active radar seeker, and X-MD-E3 with a passive radar seeker. The launch range is up to 40 kilometers, and it carries a 30-kilogram high-explosive fragmentation warhead.
Another exhibit, a heavy robotic complex featuring the Sinitsa combat module, was created through a collaboration between the Kurgan Machine-Building Plant and the All-Russian Research Institute Signal. Mounted on a BMP-3 chassis, the RTK Sinitsa is designed to provide fire support in high-risk areas, including urban terrain. The module includes a 100-millimeter artillery gun, a 30-millimeter automatic cannon, a 7.62-millimeter machine gun, and an anti-tank guided missile launcher. It can be operated remotely via wearable controls or a dedicated control point.
The Kalashnikov Concern showcased the ZALA 421-24 quadrocopter, a drone capable of over 30 minutes of airborne time, flying at altitudes up to 1.5 kilometers, and reaching speeds up to 30 kilometers per hour. The device features a range beyond 3.5 kilometers and is marketed as having low acoustic and visual signatures while remaining resistant to electronic warfare effects.
Rostec demonstrated a prototype of a unified weapon exoskeleton. This gear is designed to boost a soldier’s efficiency by reducing energy expenditure and increasing firing accuracy when using automatic weapons. The system supports carrying loads of up to 20 kilograms in the hands or up to 60 kilograms on a frame for extended periods. The design integrates modular components made from composite materials into a cohesive soldier-system package.