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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Nakhimov Academy students, friends, I congratulate you on the upcoming Day of Knowledge.

Today, we are opening a glorious new page in the Nakhimov Academy’s history. I am sure it will be a glorious page.

The Nakhimov Academy is one of the best schools of its kind in the country. It is based in St Petersburg, was established in 1944 and its graduates number in the thousands.

The Academy has opened two branches at once. We put these schools through a trial period as cadet schools and came to the conclusion that your training should follow a unified methodology and practical training model in order to ensure a high level of teaching and methodological support. I am sure that you will be able to take pride in being students of this branch of the St Petersburg Nakhimov Academy.

The Academy has opened branches in two cities with a history of military glory – Sevastopol and Vladivostok. I am sure that you continue with honour the traditions of military education and this genuine school of courage and patriotism.

The Nakhimov Academy has opened the doors to life for thousands of young people, many of whom have gone on to make their careers in Russia’s Navy. The Academy’s graduates have always been distinguished by their flawless training and discipline, their devotion to the naval brotherhood, and their ability to carry out combat tasks with success in even the most difficult situations.

Educated in a spirit of love for their homeland and loyalty to their military duty, the Academy’s graduates continue to fly their school’s banner high and perpetuate the best traditions of Russia’s Navy – our country’s pride and glory – and reliably protect our country’s interests.

The link between the years continues unbroken and is continued by new generations of sailors who are worthy successors of such outstanding naval commanders as Pavel Nakhimov, Stepan Makarov, and Fyodor Ushakov. I am sure you know these names.

I am sure that in following in the footsteps and legacy of your predecessors, Nakhimov Academy students from Sevastopol to Vladivostok will become one big naval family and will serve their homeland and people with honour.

I congratulate you on the start of the school year and I wish the teaching staff and the school’s graduates all the very best. I wish you all happiness and success.