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In his speech at the ceremony the President laid out the tasks facing the Armed Forces and the entire military apparatus in light of recent events and real assessments of existing threats. These tasks include refurbishing and improving the mobility of the army and navy, strengthening the nuclear deterrence forces and establishing a unified system of air-space defence. The head of state also assigned new challenges to the Foreign Intelligence Service, the Federal Security Service and the Interior Ministry.

Dmitry Medvedev placed special emphasis on the work carried out by the Emergency Situations Ministry, the troops of the Interior Ministry and the units of the Federal Migration Service to help the civilian population and ensure public order and stability in South Ossetia.

The head of state congratulated the officers on their appointments to senior command positions and wished them continued success in their service to Russia.

At a ceremony in the St George Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace the President presented state awards – the Hero of Russia Star and the Order of Saint George – to officers whose role in restoring peace and security in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict was exceptional.