Address on National Guard Day

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Comrades,

Congratulations on your professional holiday, National Guard Day.

Created a decade ago, the National Guard became a prominent part of the executive system, tasked with defending the state and ensuring public safety, while also protecting the rights and freedoms of our people.

Your core mission includes fighting terrorism and extremism, including detaining violent criminals, supporting investigations, guarding important and restricted access facilities, and maintaining state control over arms in circulation.

I know that you have been working on all these matters with a sense of professionalism and responsibility, expanding your operational capabilities and accumulating unique experience for countering the threats we face in today's world.

The National Guard troops have been demonstrating their courage, valour and genuine heroism during the special military operation, acting with excellence and courage. We pay tribute to all comrades-in-arms who sacrificed their lives for their Motherland.

People in Russia have always, at all stages of history, honoured warriors and those serving the Fatherland with dedication.

Your predecessors contributed to shaping these noble, patriotic traditions, including warriors from the Russian Empire's Detached Internal Guard Corps, which was established 210 years ago in 1816.

You are worthy successors of your fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers - those who defeated the Nazis and their accomplices during the Great Patriotic War, and who fought against criminals and international terrorism.

Today, you are adding your own chapters to the glorious combat chronicle of the law enforcement troops.

I would like to thank the officers, military and civilian personnel of the National Guard for their service. Please, convey my warmest wishes to all veterans, including from the OMON (the Special Purpose Police Unit) and the SOBR (the Special Rapid Response Unit), as well as other units within the Interior Ministry, and of course the internal troops, which served as a solid foundation for the National Guard in its present-day form.

I wish you good health and every success.

Congratulations on National Guard Day.