Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and Major-General Oleg Zakharov, a graduate to the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Federation Armed Forces, also addressed the meeting participants.
Following the meeting, the President had an informal conversation with the graduates.
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Comrade officers, friends,
I warmly welcome you and congratulate you on the successful completion of your studies.
Today, in accordance with our tradition, we honour the best graduates of military academies, institutes, and universities. You have demonstrated outstanding performance in the educational programmes of the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Emergencies, law enforcement agencies and special services. You have completed your specialised training with distinction and displayed a high level of combat and special training. I am confident that the knowledge, skills, and experience you have acquired will enable you to become true commanders, strengthen our officer corps, and make a worthy contribution to ensuring national security.
On this special day, we gather in St George’s Hall of the Moscow Kremlin. It was here, in this historic setting, that the Fatherland’s greatest warriors were honoured: those who fought selflessly for their Motherland, for its freedom and sovereignty, and for the peaceful and safe life of our people.
Today, Russian officers and soldiers are courageously and effectively carrying out their duties during the special military operation, liberating our historical lands and defending our people. I am confident that you will prove worthy of the high rank of Russian officer and will make every effort to enhance the glorious traditions of our Armed Forces.
I would like to emphasise the importance of further studying the achievements of military science and to grow professionally throughout your service. As the distinguished military theorist General Mikhail Dragomirov observed, a commander devoted to his profession must continue learning, because without knowledge there can be no victory.
Friends,
You will take up your duties, becoming commanders of military units at a difficult time. The current international situation is far from stable. A military confrontation is ongoing in the Middle East, and the conflict potential has seriously grown in several parts of the world, including in Eurasia.
We can see that while in the past NATO countries limited themselves to supporting the Kiev regime, which came to power illegally, by using armed force and staging a coup d’etat, today the West is openly talking about preparing for a war against us and building up their military offensive budgets.
However, to justify these expenses and the radical militarisation of their countries, the heads of NATO and EU states again use lies about Russia’s alleged military threat.
The action plan of the pseudo-democratic West is very simple: first they create threats for our country, forcing us to take action necessary for defending and protecting our country, and then they immediately accuse us of all mortal sins to justify their continued aggressive policy and their aggressive actions against Russia. We know this very well. Even after the treacherous attack on the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941 – and it was a treacherous attack, the West and Hitler’s Germany tried to accuse the Soviet Union and [Joseph] Stalin of aggression against what we currently know as the “collective West.” It is surprising that certain quasi-scientific quarters continue to seriously consider this.
I would like to emphasise that Russia has consistently advocated equal and indivisible security for all. We believe that this goal can only be achieved through the creation of a multipolar system of international relations and by reliably ensuring military security of every country. At the same time, we are ready to promptly and appropriately respond to any external and internal threats.
In accordance with the State Armament Programme, we are consistently modernising our nuclear triad and the Army and strengthening the combat capability of our Aerospace Forces and the Navy.
I would like to point out that a qualitative leap has been achieved in the development of many types of armaments since the beginning of the special military operation. Here is just one figure. Last year, over 1,000 types of weapons and equipment have been tested in combat conditions, including UAVs with an advanced targeting system and loitering munitions, robotic systems for various applications, and much else.
We have organised fast exchange of information between units on the front lines and the defence enterprises. The feedback mechanisms now in operation enable the collection of performance data on weapons and hardware, while giving weight to the evaluations of the service personnel who wield them on the battlefield.
It should be emphasised that all of this is being accomplished using Russia’s own domestic scientific and technological capabilities which are the result of dedicated work by our scientists, designers, engineers, and industrial workers. All of it is being supported by steady funding, which is itself made possible by Russia’s stable and resilient economy.
However, no technological breakthrough and no advancement in the development of cutting-edge weapons can ever substitute the courage and professionalism of our service personnel.
The decisive factor in the success of the special military operation is the military contingent itself, guided and led by its officers. As Peter the Great once observed, “Every officer [in the army] is like a soul in the human body.”
Military leaders and commanders set the standard for honour and valour, serving as examples for those under their command. That is why we will continue our consistent efforts to strengthen the authority and social standing of the officer corps, which remains the backbone of the Armed Forces today, and will continue to do so in the future.
Comrades,
Important responsibilities also await those of you who will go on to serve in the Federal Security Service, the Interior Ministry, the National Guard, the Emergencies Ministry, the Federal Guard Service, the Investigative Committee, the Military Prosecutor’s Office, and the Federal Penitentiary Service.
We are seeing tangible progress across many areas of these agencies’ work. It is essential to build on these achievements, strengthen positive trends, and continue to crack down on terrorism, corruption, and crime, while ensuring the rule of law, public security, constitutional order, and the protection of the rights and interests of our citizens.
It is also important to continue supporting our servicemen participating in the special military operation and to contribute to strengthening security in Russia’s liberated historical regions.
I am confident that each of you will put in your every effort to defend our country and promote its prosperity, to become a tower of strength for the state and society and a worthy successor to the military traditions and heroic deeds of our fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers.
I would also like to express my gratitude to your commanders, instructors, and mentors – to all those who generously shared their knowledge and experience and guided you towards such outstanding achievements.
And, of course, my warmest wishes go to your families and friends.
Once again, I congratulate you and all graduates of Russia’s military academies and higher military educational institutions of the class of 2026 on your graduation.
I wish you every success.
Defence Minister Andrei Belousov: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,
Comrade officers,
On behalf of the Defence Ministry and myself, I congratulate the graduates of military universities on the successful completion of your studies.
The knowledge you have acquired forms the bedrock of your further service. However, an officer’s true mastery is reflected in their daily service, which requires rigorous fulfilment of duty and utmost composure.
Modern times pose entirely new challenges: the configuration of threats is changing fast while countering them requires an in-depth understanding of the latest technologies. Today, the Armed Forces are actively implementing artificial intelligence, robotics, and integrated control systems. Your task is not only to skilfully use this equipment but also to improve the tactics of its combat employment.
You should remember that behind every algorithm and every machine, there is always a human element. This is why the ability to manage people effectively remains a fundamental skill. You must become commanders capable of organising effective teamwork, ensuring strict order, and you must also take responsibility for the end result.
Many of you already possess unique combat experience gained during the special military operation. It is crucial to fully comprehend this experience and integrate it with modern tactics to improve combat effectiveness of your units. This will help you consolidate the gains.
Comrade officers, graduates,
Understanding that an officer rank is not a privilege but, above all, a sacred duty to the Fatherland must become an absolute truth for you. The security and safety of our citizens and the Fatherland depend on your expertise, courage and resolve.
I wish you every success in your service, strength of spirit, and well-being to your families and friends.
Graduate of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Federation Armed Forces Major-General Oleg Zakharov: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,
Speaking on behalf of all military academy graduates, allow me to express our deep gratitude to you for your personal words of encouragement for our military service to defend our Fatherland.
On May 9, our country and its multinational people celebrated the 81st anniversary of the Great Victory, an event whose historical significance transcends time. Today, just like it was for many centuries in the past, our Motherland and its Armed Forces are fighting on the battlefields to defend freedom and independence our great forefathers won for us. Their names have been immortalised on the walls of the Kremlin’s St George Hall.
Throughout its history, Russia has always possessed a strong army capable of defeating any enemy. Our task is to preserve and strengthen the might of the Russian army and the greatness of our Fatherland.
We received profound knowledge and strong skills in using modern weapons at our military schools. We recognise that we need them now more than ever before to attain the goals of the special military operation. The lives of our subordinates, the future of our children and Russia itself depend on us and our decisions.
Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,
Allow me to express our gratitude to you, the leadership of the Defence Ministry, our professors, commanders and mentors for their example of service to the Motherland and for sharing their knowledge with us.
We assure you that every one of us is ready to selflessly serve our Fatherland, protect our national interests and strengthen Russia’s combat capability.
Vladimir Putin: Friends,
The years flew past quickly. You have acquired knowledge and skills which, as I said in my opening remarks, will certainly serve as the basis for building upon your knowledge and practical experience during your service.
In military service, just like in any major undertaking – and military service is indeed a major undertaking, an art combining courage and heroism – there are always many routine issues, a lot of daily grind, which can sometimes be boring and unpleasant.
But you must never forget that from this day on, the future of millions of Russian citizens, our people and our country is in your hands. The daily grind must never overshadow the key thing – the Armed Forces always protect the interests of the Russian state.
Good luck to all of you! God be with you!