Taking part in the meeting were Constitutional Court President Valery Zorkin, President of the Supreme Court Igor Krasnov, Prosecutor General Alexander Gutsan, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Minister of the Interior Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Minister of Justice Konstantin Chuychenko, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Federal Guard Service Dmitry Kochnev, Head of the Federal Service for Financial Monitoring Yury Chikhanchin, and Chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin.
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, good evening,
Today’s agenda includes a range of issues related to strengthening the counterterrorism system and ensuring the overall security of citizens.
We consistently pay close attention to these matters. They have been discussed in detail at the annual board meetings of the Federal Security Service, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Prosecutor General's Office, as well as during briefing sessions of the Russian Federation Security Council.
The risks of terrorist threats are increasing. International terrorist organisations, as well as radical and extremist groups, continue their subversive activities. In addition, we know that both the Kiev authorities and their sponsors are resorting to openly terrorist methods. The reasons are clear and evident to everyone: the enemy is unable to stop the advance of our troops on the line of contact and continues to lose territory every day. Thus they place stakes on acts of terror against both military personnel and civilians. These tactics is not going to make any change but the threats remain and, as I have said, are growing.
Drone strikes against civilian infrastructure are also becoming more frequent. A recent example is the attack on energy facilities in Tuapse that could potentially cause grave environmental challenges. The governor has just reported – he is there on the ground or was there a couple of hours ago – adding that there don’t seem to be major threats and the people are coping with the challenges they are facing.
Security and counterterrorism measures are particularly critical in light of the upcoming election campaign. In September, Russian citizens will elect deputies of the State Duma of the ninth convocation, and large-scale regional and local elections will be held.
Our priority is to ensure the safety and security of all participants in the electoral process: candidates, election commission members, observers, and the tens of millions of citizens who will cast their votes.
This is especially relevant for the Donetsk People's Republic, the Lugansk People's Republic, as well as the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, where residents are expected to vote in federal elections for the first time. Those who deny Donbass and Novorossiya their historical right to be part of their homeland – of Russia – will, of course, attempt to hinder them, like they did before. Let me remind you that in Ukraine, elections are not held under the pretext of martial law, and now they are trying to hinder us, too. However, strong and determined people – strong-willed people, dare I say – live in these regions, and I am sure they will not be intimidated. This has happened more than once, and so it will be now. The state must do everything necessary to ensure the free expression of will for all citizens across the Russian Federation.
It is also important to create conditions for our military personnel and those involved in the special military operation to take part in voting.
I would also ask to lay special focus on organising elections in the border regions and districts located near state borders. All necessary measures must be taken in advance in view of the latest developments. Ensuring the safety of election commission members is of paramount importance.
I address the staff of law enforcement agencies and special services: attempts to commit sabotage and terrorist acts, as well as any manifestations of an extremist nature, must be suppressed in the most decisive and resolute manner. During the pre-election period, such provocations will certainly occur, including those engineered from abroad.
There is one more important aspect. It is necessary to reliably protect state information resources and the digital systems of the Central Election Commission from any external interference, ensure their accessibility and uninterrupted operation both before and during the voting, as well as – as I have previously instructed – ensure the uninterrupted operation of all services vital to people.
As concerns authorities at the local level, in municipalities and regions – I ask law enforcement officers to take into account that they are working under special conditions. Consequently, it is necessary to act extremely carefully and responsibly, taking into account the current state of affairs, including the financial situation in the regions and municipalities.
Regrettably, not all of their commitments, unfortunately, are currently being met in full. To be honest, this frequently happened before as well, but now the situation is nevertheless special. Naturally, as they say, there must be order; we must strive for full implementation of the established procedures and full implementation of everything required by law and indeed the regulatory framework in general. But at the same time, it is necessary to work with local authorities, pointing out problems, but not limiting oneself exclusively to warnings and directives.
I recently spoke about this at the municipal forum: it is necessary to be guided not simply by a formal approach, but by the actual situation and the need to fulfil tasks on which people’s lives and safety depend. This will be both correct and fair. At the same time, I ask you, while analysing the situation without sliding into this formalism, to nevertheless analyse the situation and, if required, propose amendments to the regulatory framework so that our actual actions conform both to law and statutory regulations.
Colleagues, the same applies to domestic business. At our meetings, especially annual meetings, I constantly speak about the need to ensure legality and to safeguard the interests of domestic business. Under current conditions, business is a significant part of Russia’s economy, almost the entire economy. We all perfectly understand that it is precisely the economy that is the guarantee of fulfilling our tasks both in defence and security, and of solving key issues of the nation’s development, and in the social sphere as well.
Meanwhile, the Russian economy has for many years already been operating under serious external challenges. This includes a difficult economic environment, illegitimate sanctions, and a number of other adverse circumstances. You know well that in relation to many of our entrepreneurs and members of their families – and not even immediate family members, sometimes in the third generation – these very illegitimate sanctions are imposed. The same is being done in relation to entire major companies.
At the same time, the overwhelming majority, practically all entrepreneurs, work effectively and with full dedication, take a patriotic position, sincerely strive to make their contribution to achieving Russia’s development goals, help our fighters at the front, and support participants in the special military operation and their family members. The state also needs to work in partnership with business, ensuring its lawful rights and interests.
Before we proceed to reports, I would like to add the following. Unquestionably, the fight against extremism, radicalism, terrorism, and crime must be stringent. I ask the leadership and personnel of all law enforcement agencies to perform their duties with utmost responsibility, understanding the full importance of this year’s election campaign for the country, for our political life and public stability, and for the unity of society.
Colleagues, I understand that the workload on personnel is very heavy; I am aware of this, but we all also understand that service to the Fatherland, especially at such pivotal historical moments that Russia is experiencing today – is, nevertheless, a special, honourable mission. I am counting on you and relying on you greatly.
Let us begin our work.
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