Vladimir Putin:
Dear comrades!
Dear veterans!
I congratulate you on this holiday, Defenders of the Fatherland Day!
I congratulate everyone who knows first hand just what military service is and who is devoted to their service and to their Fatherland.
In Russia, officers' work and military service have always been especially important and for this reason the main holiday of the Armed Forces demands respect for your laudable mission to defend our country.
Almost every Russian family is in some way connected with the Army or the Navy.
Today members of society fully understand that without viable defence capabilities we can not solve economic or social problems, nor can we keep the country together. For that reason the state will continue to increase efforts to assist technology modernization and to find coherent solutions to servicemen's problems. We shall continue to improve the bases for providing the Armed Forces with personnel by increasing the number of servicemen on contract and reducing the length of conscript military service.
In practice every generation of Russian people has made a contribution towards defending our country. At the same time the Armed Forces have always played a special role. Unfortunately, today they are faced with many trials. Taking full responsibility and with a good knowledge of this business I can say that is only thanks to the selflessness, courage and heroism of our officers and soldiers that a very difficult and dangerous aspect of our recent history has been overcome.
I thank you for your service!
I congratulate you on this holiday!
I wish you and your loved ones the best of luck!