Vladimir Putin attended the farewell ceremony for the legendary small arms designer, a Hero of Russia, twice Hero of Socialist Labour, Lieutenant-General Mikhail Kalashnikov.

Vladimir Putin expressed deep condolences to the family and friends of Mikhail Kalashnikov on his passing.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu briefed Vladimir Putin via video linkup from Severodvinsk on the deployment of strategic nuclear missile submarine Alexander Nevsky by the Russian Navy.

Vladimir Putin spoke at the expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board devoted to the progress of military reform and the Armed Forces’ work in 2013.

Vladimir Putin hosted an official reception at the Kremlin to mark the Heroes of the Fatherland Day.

The President will give his overall assessment of the state of military reform and the Armed Forces’ work in 2013, and will outline the next basic steps in military development. 

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation.

Vladimir Putin met with Defence Ministry officials and representatives of defence companies, chief commanders of the Armed Forces, troop commanders and representatives of defence companies.

Vladimir Putin held a meeting on developing a military and dual-purpose orbital satellite group. Taking part in the meeting were Commander of the Air and Space Defence Forces Alexander Golovko, Head of Roscosmos Oleg Ostapenko, and the heads of a number of companies in the sector.

Vladimir Putin held a meeting on carrying out a programme on the development and series production of long-range high-precision weapons.

Meeting participants discussed equipping Aerospace Defence Forces with up-to-date weapons.

Vladimir Putin held a meeting on developing Russia’s Air Force.

Vladimir Putin held a meeting on developing nuclear submarine forces. Taking part in the meeting were Navy Commander Viktor Chirkov and heads of a number of defence enterprises.

Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the strategic missile forces’ current state and development prospects. This is the first in a series of meetings on carrying out state defence procurement orders and equipping the Russian Armed Forces with modern arms and equipment under the 2011–2020 state arms programme.

The President of Russia will examine the final stages of preparations for the 2014 XXII Olympic Winter Games and XI Paralympic Winter Games.

Officers appointed to senior command positions were presented and had their senior military (special) titles conferred at a ceremony held in the Grand Kremlin Palace’s St George Hall.

Vladimir Putin held a meeting on developing the military education system while visiting the Ryazan Margelov Higher Airborne Command School.

Vladimir Putin visited the General Margelov Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School. 

The President will visit the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School named after General of the Army Vasily Margelov, where he will chair a meeting on developing the military education system.