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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, comrades,

I am happy to welcome you and would like to congratulate you on Defender of the Fatherland Day. This holiday has long symbolised deep respect for feats of arms and the legacy of our ancestors who fought for the Motherland.

On this day, we pay special tribute to our veterans, the front-line soldiers of the Great Patriotic War, and all those who have dedicated their lives to the Armed Forces and the vital mission of ensuring national security and protecting the rights, freedoms, and lives of our citizens. We honour our heroes, both those who stood before us and those who currently serve in active units.

The participants in the special military operation remain true to the noble traditions of our fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers. With unwavering courage, they, you stand guard over Russia, bravely fighting for truth and justice, for peace, and for the future of our people.

Today, here in the Kremlin, we honour people of exceptional valour, loyalty, and integrity. It is a great privilege to congratulate you on your well-earned recognition, to present orders to you, and to bestow upon you the Gold Stars of Heroes of the Russian Federation.

Each of you has rightfully earned this high honour. Your service involves carrying out complex combat missions, leading our troops through the most challenging frontiers and strategic directions. It is associated with enormous risks and demands immense responsibility, not only for the units under your command but also for your comrades-in-arms and the civilians in our cities and villages.

Among you are soldiers and officers who have been on duty since the very first days and months of the special military operation. Here are commanders of assault groups and special units, National Guard officers, drone operators, sappers, and scouts. You face extraordinary trials with dignity, demonstrating exceptional professionalism, bravery, and true patriotism.

I extend my gratitude to you and all your comrades. Thanks to your dedication, we continue to achieve our goals. The nation takes great pride in your heroism and your invaluable contribution to the defence of the Fatherland. Thank you for your valour, commitment, unwavering sense of duty, and love for our country.

Congratulations on being honoured with the high title of the Hero of Russia. I wish you continued success in your service.

Please extend my heartfelt gratitude and support to your families, loved ones, and friends.

Wishing you good health, all the best, and good luck.

Congratulations.

(The ceremony begins.)

Vladimir Putin: Comrades,

Once again, congratulations on Defender of the Fatherland Day, and on your state decorations. As I presented the decorations, Peter the Great and the other leaders of the Russian state looked upon us. Under their command, our ancestors fought and achieved outstanding results, with brilliant victories in the name of the Fatherland. We rely on the legacy of our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers.

I want to tell you that you are their strong successors. Thank you on behalf of the Russian nation and on behalf of Russia for your military service and your heroism. Congratulations on these state decorations and happy Defender of the Fatherland Day. My best wishes.

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Vladimir Putin: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. How many unknown soldiers there have been, nobody even knows. Thanks to their efforts, courage and extremely hard work at the front, we have Russia today. We protect it and we do it – you do it – diligently. Our fathers our ancestors would have been proud.

We fight for our Motherland, and we will do everything – I know you will – to pass it on to the future generations, our children and grandchildren.

It was at God’s will that this fate fell upon our shoulders to carry out such a challenging but honourable mission of defending Russia.

You know, I was surprised at reading certain words in the order to force a crossing of the Danube during one of our wars. It was the 19^th century, and the headquarters passed an order to force a crossing of the Danube. It was an extremely strenuous combat mission fraught with enormous risks. The order read: “Your regiment will have the immense honour of forcing a crossing of the Danube first and be the first to achieve victory over the enemy in a glorious battle.”

Those people risked their lives. Indeed, the section of the Danube to be force-crossed was challenging. The troops received the first orders, the Cross of St George. But the words chosen are noteworthy. “Your regiment will have the immense honour.”

We have the immense honour of defending Russia.