Putin laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 23 – Defender of the Fatherland Day – laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexander Garden. The broadcast was conducted by the TV channel “Russia 24”.

The head of state took part in the ceremony along with war veterans. Among them was Father Kiprian (Valery Burkov), a Hero of the Soviet Union, a veteran of military operations in Afghanistan. The ceremony was also attended by Hero of Russia Nikolai Gavrilov, Hero of Russia and special operation participant Roman Cheremukhin, special operations participant in the Alfa group Sergey Militsky, Hero of Russia, senator Dmitry Perminov and activists of public patriotic organizations.

Putin laid flowers at Kyiv and other stelae of hero cities in the Alexander Garden. After the laying of flowers, a minute of silence and the performance of the national anthem, the head of state talked to the veterans. He named care for those who defend the country, the sacred duty of the state.

“I see that our guys are standing behind us – they are very young. The day before yesterday, when I delivered a message [Федеральному собранию], the last words were that the truth is on our side. But when I look at the guys, I want to add: the future is definitely ours, ”- declared President, talking to veterans of combat operations.

In his video message on the occasion of Defender of the Fatherland Day, Putin noted the exploits 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.”

In his address, Putin said that Russia would pay attention to strengthening the nuclear triad this year, and the first launchers of the Sarmat missile system with a new heavy missile would go on combat duty.

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, 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.