Officers representing the Armed Forces and all of the country’s security agencies were invited to the ceremony in the Kremlin’s St.George Hall.
The President wished the officers continued success in their service to Russia.
Mr Putin recalled that only a few years ago, Russia was a country where what was essentially a civil war was being waged, where bloodshed continued in the Caucasus, and where national wealth had been robbed on an unprecedented scale as millions of people looked on. This all created the impression of a country with no future.
But dramatic change has been achieved over recent years, including through the work and achievements of the people invited to the ceremony at the Kremlin today.
See also
Speech at Meeting with newly Promoted Senior Officers
March 9, 2007