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Excerpts from the transcript of the meeting with heads of Kursk Region municipalities

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good evening.

We have just met with volunteers working in Kursk, who help the residents of the Kursk Region in very difficult conditions.

Today, we have the opportunity to see how the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant operates. But most importantly, I wanted to meet with you personally – to have a talk and to thank you sincerely for everything you do for the people and for the country.

However, let me begin with something else. On April 21, the Service Russian Municipal Award was presented at the Rossiya National Centre in Moscow. I had the honour of awarding your colleagues in the category “Courage and Heroism in Service to the Motherland.” I presented awards to all the laureates except for the winner, who was unable to attend due to illness.

Today, he is here with us. I am speaking of Yury Polskoi, Head of the Administration of the Giryansky Village Council in the Belovsky District, Kursk Region.

(Presenting the award.)

Colleagues,

I would like to listen to each one of you. This is a situation where I need to thank virtually every one of you and present all of you with such awards for serving the Motherland. What is the Motherland? It is the people. So, this is in recognition of your service to the people.

You are closest to the people, which is natural. This is one of the most difficult jobs. The higher you rise in the system and the more assistants surround you, the further you become from the people: you see everything through reports and summaries. But when you are face to face with people, everything changes: you confront real problems directly, every single day.

We are constantly working to balance revenues across different levels: municipal, regional, and federal. Of course, there is never enough funding, but the greatest shortage is always where it is needed most: right on the ground, as they say.

Let us discuss this, especially considering the situation in the Kursk Region and some of its territories. Even after the liberation of the border areas, the conditions remain extremely challenging. I have just spoken with Mr Khinshtein about it, but you are the ones who know the reality best.

In fact, the entire Kursk Region has faced the kind of difficulties typical of all border areas. Every resident, including those in the city of Kursk, has felt the impact, and we must admit, these are far from easy times.

Let us go over everything carefully to identify the key priorities and determine what specific steps must be taken to address the most pressing issues.

Go ahead, please.

<…>

Vladimir Putin (commenting on the address by Father Yevgeny, rector of Sudzha’s Holy Trinity Church, who recounted the events of August 6, 2024 – the day of the AFU invasion – detailing civilian casualties, the sheltering of children and elders in the church, and the evacuation of residents from hazardous areas): I would like to begin with your conclusion: you stated that we have demonstrated to the entire world that we can be a united people. You know, above all, we have proven this to ourselves – that we are indeed a united people. This unity becomes especially evident during times of trial, with representatives of all faiths in Russia standing alongside their people, their congregations – as one.

The Russian Orthodox Church has repeatedly – throughout history – shown that it always stands with its people. We recently marked the 80^th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Not everyone recalls, but many are aware that when the Great Patriotic War began, Molotov was the first to address the nation, saying: “Countrymen and countrywomen!” Yet shortly after, once the gravity of the situation became clear, Stalin spoke with entirely different words: “Brothers and sisters!”

Despite the immense damage inflicted upon it by the authorities, the Russian Orthodox Church, when the hour of trial arrived, wholly and irrevocably set aside all grievances and the severe hardships endured by its clergy, rising to defend the Fatherland. The same is happening now. Regrettably, clergy are also suffering losses – this we know well.

In any case, I have been asked to convey the deepest respects to the Patriarch – I will certainly do so, without fail. You are aware of His Holiness the Patriarch’s stance: he stands among the foremost defenders of both the Orthodox faith and our Fatherland, our people. Thus, his resolve carries immense significance, resonating not only with the clergy but with the entire nation. This is profoundly important.

As for the present day, I have already noted that the Church has always stood with the people throughout history. We have witnessed how clergy have conducted themselves during the trials in the Kursk Region. A deep bow to all of you for this.

We also know that abandoned churches were effectively turned into fortresses by the enemy, and during their liberation, these buildings sustained severe damage. Naturally, I would ask Mr Khinshtein to thoroughly analyse this matter and develop a dedicated programme, submitting proposals to restore both primary structures and ancillary facilities.

We shall proceed calmly, systematically, and in due order. All will be accomplished. I am confident the results will surpass what existed before.

Father Yevgeny: I share that confidence.

Acting Governor of Kursk Region Alexander Khinshtein: Allow me to briefly report.

We are already engaged in this work. An instruction has been issued to the Presidential Council for Culture to include these sites in the currently drafted restoration programme for both cultural heritage and religious properties. We have now assessed the extent of the damage – 33 church buildings in the border areas have been affected.

I fear this number may yet rise. According to estimates from the President’s National Centre for Historical Memory, there are no fewer than 80 cultural heritage sites impacted. Of course, we are duty-bound to restore all these structures, including outbuildings essential for the churches’ operation.

Vladimir Putin: Simply prepare proposals for all these churches. All right?

Alexander Khinshtein: Yes, sir.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

<…>

Vladimir Putin: I do not think I will say anything particularly new or unexpected. Naturally, I am fully briefed – the Government reports, the military reports, the security services report, the Interior Ministry reports, Mr Khintshtein reports, and that is more than enough for our work.

But I wanted to see you in person and hear directly from you, because you are the eyes and ears on the ground. I have flagged a few issues for action, but above all I am here to thank you for all you have done and continue to do.

As my colleague said, when people saw the lights on and the local authorities present, they knew that help was under way. I would add that this was not just a show of presence – it was real work: building the bridge over the river, restoring power, delivering food, and much more.

Crucially, you did not wait for instructions. Our colleague has just said that certain things were lacking, but even when some structures were absent, you stayed at your posts, you did not run away or hide, you worked alongside the people and fulfilled your duty. And you succeeded.

In expressing our gratitude, I would ask Mr Khinshtein – given the operational conditions, this is entirely appropriate – to recommend for state awards those colleagues who made exceptional contributions to restoring normality. I wish you every success. We will do everything in our power to support you in your service to the people.

I would also like to acknowledge Alexander Mikhailov, the head of Zheleznogorsk, who is on duty today even on his birthday, by the way. Happy birthday. Thank you all very much. Now let’s go and inspect the station.