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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Comrades officers, friends,

I am delighted to welcome you and to congratulate you on a milestone – a truly momentous event in your lives.

You have successfully completed your studies at military academies, as well as at institutions of the Defence Ministry, the Emergencies Ministry, law enforcement agencies, and security services. You earned top marks at your final exams, demonstrated excellent knowledge in specialised training, and showed strong proficiency with the most advanced equipment. I am confident that this solid professional foundation will enable you to take on the most complex and demanding tasks, and to serve Russia and our people with honour.

Today, we have gathered in the St George Hall of the Moscow Kremlin, a solemn pantheon celebrating the glory of Russian arms. It reminds us of the legendary battles and heroes of the War of 1812 and stands as an inspiring symbol of the strength and unyielding spirit of generations of the Fatherland’s defenders.

This new chapter in your service begins in the year of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. Today, too, we are fighting for our future, and the participants of the special military operation, all our soldiers, are the direct heirs of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War and of all those who have defended our thousand-year-old Russia across generations.

Always remember that you are continuing the great work of your great-grandfathers, grandfathers, and fathers. Their example, their loyalty to the Fatherland, truth, and justice will serve you as a reliable moral compass, and by following it, you will surely write new glorious pages in the history of our Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies, and security services.

Friends,

The current international landscape is evolving rapidly, and we are witnessing a sharp escalation of tensions in the Middle East. External powers from outside the region are being drawn into the conflict, pushing the world closer to a highly dangerous situation.

We are deeply concerned that some Western political leaders persist in pursuing strategies aimed at delivering a “strategic defeat” to Russia. It appears that history has taught them little. They continue to supply the current Kiev regime with weapons, financial resources, military-technical assistance, and intelligence support – effectively making themselves direct participants in the conflict.

We know that NATO is expected to unveil an expanded capability enhancement programme at its upcoming summit, which will require increased defence spending from the member states. Currently, NATO countries allocate more resources to military expenditures than the rest of the world’s nations combined. This highlights the drivers of the global military escalation and the arms race.

In justifying their plans, the alliance’s leadership once again invokes a supposed threat from Russia, suggesting a potential invasion of Europe. They have fabricated this alarming narrative and repeat it year after year to mislead their own populations and secure funding. Yet, once again, we confront the same blatant and shameless falsehoods.

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, we remain committed to taking appropriate measures to bolster the security of Russia and our allies while advancing the development of our Armed Forces as a safeguard for Russia’s sovereign and independent development.

A pressing priority continues to be the enhancement of combat capabilities across all branches and types of our Armed Forces. In particular, recognising the growing significance of unmanned aerial vehicles in modern warfare, we are establishing a new branch dedicated to unmanned systems troops.

This year, we will complete the full range of organisational measures to establish units and formations within the Moscow and Leningrad military districts. Additionally, the marine brigades will be expanded into divisions, significantly enhancing their striking power and combat capabilities.

As always, a key priority remains the technical modernisation of the Army and Navy, primarily through the new, large-scale, and long-term State Armament Programme.

We will focus in particular on the nuclear triad. The Strategic Missile Forces will be equipped with the latest Yars systems, and the aviation component of the strategic nuclear forces will be reinforced with upgraded Tu-160M missile carriers this year.

In addition, serial production of the state-of-the-art medium-range missile system Oreshnik is underway. It has demonstrated outstanding performance in combat situations. New ships and submarines equipped with next-generation high-precision weapons will be deployed with the Navy.

We will continue to consistently enhance the authority and the social status of the officer corps. You – yes, you – are the mainstay of our Armed Forces and are called upon to serve as an example of professionalism and military honour, discipline, and respectful and caring treatment of personnel and fellow servicemen.

Comrades,

I welcome the officers present in this audience who will soon join the ranks of the FSB and the Interior Ministry, the National Guard, and the Emergencies Ministry, the Federal Guard Service, the Investigative Committee, the military prosecutor’s office, and the Federal Penitentiary Service.

We are all well aware of the fact that reliable protection of the country against internal and external threats requires close coordination among law enforcement agencies and special services, and other security entities, as well as your utmost concentration when addressing key objectives.

These objectives include combatting the attempts to destabilise the sociopolitical situation, terrorism, fighting crime and corruption, strengthening public order, and responding swiftly to natural disasters. Without a doubt, the support you provide to the military personnel involved in the special military operation is indispensable.

I am convinced that you are well aware of the magnitude and the nature of the tasks at hand and will do everything necessary to accomplish them.

Friends,

Together, we will continue to improve the Armed Forces and to increase the effectiveness of all entities in charge of the country’s security. I am confident that you will fulfill your duties with much responsibility and dedication, and faithfully and loyally serve Russia and our people.

I wish you and everyone graduating in 2025 success, good health, and well-being to your mentors, families, and loved ones.

Best of luck.

Defence Minister Andrei Belousov: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Comrade officers,

On behalf of the Defence Ministry and myself, I would like to congratulate all graduates on successfully finishing higher military schools.

This year, over 13,000 officers who have been trained at 39 higher military schools will join the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces. This is the result of long-term work and efforts by instructors and commanders. Thanks to them, our army is receiving new professionals, trained in the best traditions of the Russian military school. In this connection, I would like to note some key distinguishing features of officers’ service in current conditions.

First, constant professional improvement. High-precision weapons and new methods of warfare require top qualification and skills, as well as permanent professional improvement. The officer corps should constantly improve their knowledge and skills. They should acquire new competences, especially in those fields of warfare that did not exist in the past. The Defence Ministry creates and will continue to create favourable conditions for self-education and for mastering state-of-the-art technologies and approaches.

Second, the experience of the special military operation are becoming a key advantage of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It is important to retain this unique resource, to pass it on to future generations of service personnel and to integrate it into the combat training process.

Third, much more stringent requirements are currently in place for service personnel. Today, apart from being top-grade professionals, officers should act as mentors and tutors for their subordinates. The officer corps should pass on knowledge and skills to young soldiers and serve as an example for them.

Dear graduates,

We have to accomplish responsible objectives, while upholding the country’s sovereignty, defending its national interests and promoting long-term development of the Armed Forces. These objectives will, certainly, be accomplished.

I would like to congratulate you once again on completing your education. I wish you every success in your service, and may you achieve your goals. I wish you good health, happiness and prosperity to you and your families.

Sergei Trunin: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

In the landmark year of the 80^th anniversary of the Great Victory, we, graduates of higher military schools, are feeling particularly excited and proud, while accepting the high honour of serving Russia.

The Year of the Defender of the Fatherland pays tribute and deep respect to the immortal feat of the generation of victors and to all those who are now accomplishing objectives of the special military operation. Their bravery, courage and heroism serve as a high standard of military duty for us, as well as loyalty to our oath of allegiance and Russia.

The Great Victory is our history and a reference point in life for us, officers, for all times. The years of studies, service and combat experience have hardened our resolve and taught us the main thing – to be ready to stand up and defend our Motherland.

Throughout its entire history, Russia has had and continues to maintain a powerful army capable of routing the enemy. The heroic pages of its history are forever emblazoned on the walls of the St George Hall of the Moscow Kremlin that symbolises the valour of the Russian soldier. Our objective is to preserve and expand the might of the Russian Army.

Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief, we would like to express profound gratitude to you, the leadership of the Defence Ministry, our instructors, commanders, and mentors for serving as an example of service to the Fatherland and for the knowledge we acquired. We would like to assure you that we will remain loyal to the behests of Suvorov and Zhukov, Ushakov and Nakhimov, to the traditions of the Russian military school. Each of us is ready to defend Russia’s national interests, to honourably fulfil our military duty and to strengthen the defence capability of our state.

Vladimir Putin: Dear friends, I congratulate you on completing your education once again. God bless you and good luck!