At the beginning of October, the Kremlin annexed areas of Ukraine in violation of international law, some of which Russia has since lost control of. President Putin announces that he will send new units with “the most modern weapons”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on his country’s security forces to do more in all areas. “Today we have a dynamically changing situation in the world, new risks and threats bring increased demands on the entire security system of Russia,” he says in a video address that was broadcast at night. “And that means that they (the security organs) have to step up their efforts, especially in the crucial directions.”
The reason for the speech was the so-called Day of the Security Forces of Russia. One of the most important tasks of the security forces is to protect the citizens of the “new regions” of Russia. This refers to the parts of Ukraine annexed by Moscow in violation of international law. In fact, the situation in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions is difficult, Putin stressed. “But the people living there, all Russian citizens, hope for their protection.” In order to protect the security, rights and freedoms of these people, according to Putin, Russia will “equip new units with the latest technology and weapons, as well as with experienced personnel”. Russia has violently seized and occupied large parts of these areas in its war of aggression against Ukraine, which has been going on since February, and is now trying to defend them against Ukrainian counterattacks.
Putin also called on the security forces to take more vigorous and decisive action against the activities of foreign intelligence services. Above all, maximum determination of military counter-espionage is required here. “The actions of foreign secret services must be suppressed immediately,” said the Kremlin chief. Traitors, saboteurs and spies must be caught.
