Speaking at a reception the previous evening to mark the Defenders of the Fatherland holiday, Mr Putin said that the professionalism of armed forces personnel, and the quality of their arms and equipment should all be of the very highest level.
Delivering the most advanced military equipment to the country’s armed forces is one of Russia’s military development priorities.
The state would continue to focus its attention very closely on providing social protection to military servicemen and their families, the President said.
Mr Putin congratulated military servicemen and armed forces veterans on the holiday, and wished them and their families good health, prosperity and success.