The message reads, in part:
“This celebration brings together all those who are so proud of the Ground Forces’ combat glory and rich victorious traditions and who serve worthily in Russia and beyond. We pay tribute and show our infinite respect to the many generations of talented and brave senior military commanders, officers and privates who wrote heroic pages of the country’s history. And, of course, during 2021 when we are marking the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, we would like to specially thank our dear veterans who defeated Nazism and defended the freedom and independence of the Motherland.
Today, just like always, the personnel of the Ground Forces display their impressive professionalism. You honourably carry out your duties and post good results during surprise combat readiness inspections, exercises and manoeuvres.
I am quite confident that you will continue to preserve and to expand the unique combat legacy of your predecessors and will reliably safeguard the country’s national interests.”