Putin congratulated the Russians on Defender of the Fatherland Day and announced the deployment of “Sarmat”

Russia this year will pay attention to strengthening the nuclear triad, the first launchers of the Sarmat missile system with a new heavy missile will take up combat duty, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his video message on the occasion of Defender of the Fatherland Day.

In his address, the president noted the feats of veterans of the Great Patriotic War and stated that the current generation of Russian soldiers and officers “preserves and enhances the military traditions of their grandfathers and great-grandfathers.” Putin also congratulated military personnel, volunteers and conscripts on the holiday who are participating in the military special operation in Ukraine and “heroically fighting neo-Nazism”, “protecting our people in our historical territories.”

The head of state promised to give priority to strengthening the country’s defense capability and to lead “a balanced, high-quality development of all components of the Armed Forces, to improve the system of training units and subunits.” The authorities intend to continue to saturate the troops with advanced equipment: new strike systems, reconnaissance and communications equipment, drones and artillery systems, Putin added. Increased attention, he said, will be given to strengthening the nuclear triad.

“This year, the first launchers of the Sarmat missile system with a new heavy missile are on combat duty. We will continue mass production of Kinzhal air-launched hypersonic systems and begin mass deliveries of Zirkon sea-launched hypersonic missiles,” the president said.

The share of modern weapons and equipment in the naval strategic nuclear forces will reach 100% with the adoption of the Borey-A nuclear submarine Imperator Alexander III into the Navy, and in the coming years, three more cruisers of this project will replenish the combat strength of the fleet, Putin noted .

February 22 President of Russia spoke at a rally-concert in Luzhniki, where he arrived after a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and listened to how “right now there is a battle on our historical borders for our people.” In his speech, the president said that Russia is proud of those who “make a decision to defend the most sacred and dearest thing we have – the family and the Motherland”, and “in our heart” is one and the same.