Address on Interior Ministry Personnel Day

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Comrades, friends,

I would like to congratulate the Interior Ministry personnel, its civilian staff members and veterans on their professional holiday, the Interior Ministry Personnel Day.

Today, we honour those who have chosen this demanding and responsible path as their calling. These people perform their professional and civic duty honestly and often risk their lives while waging an uncompromising battle against crime, violence, arbitrariness and abuse of power. Even today, on this holiday, they are working in their respective positions, be it as part of active patrols or reserve crews, or at their stations, keeping the peace and order for our citizens.

These are the people who stay true to their profession and the laws of honour. They have always served as a solid basis of the Interior Ministry, while their honourable service, their deeds in times of peace and in times of war added many glorious and heroic pages in its history that covers more than two centuries,. Therefore, our special words of gratitude go to our Interior Ministry veterans who made a meaningful contribution to shaping the Ministry as it exists today and to the professional becoming and character building of the current generation of Interior Ministry personnel.

Today, the Interior Ministry remains one of the core, key links in the state mechanism. It has been effective in ensuring public safety and domestic order, facilitating efforts to fulfil strategic plans, and making a substantial contribution to Russia's development as a strong and democratic state.

Comrades,

Today, the Interior Ministry units face a whole range of challenging and demanding tasks, primarily countering criminal threats and extremism, fighting corruption, ensuring road safety, and controlling migration. Our people expect you to perform even better in all these areas.

We have been paying special attention to the way the Interior Ministry's territorial units operate in Donbass and Novorossiya these days, just as over the past several years. This also applies to other regions near the line of contact. It is essential that we offer people living there better security along with legal and social support.

Improving the crime clearance rate is another priority objective for you. In general, this implies perfecting your approaches to fighting crime, including in the information space. By the same token, you are expected to act in a consistent and system-wide manner to prevent offences, among minors in the first place.

All the Interior Ministry personnel should master the latest competencies and constantly improve their knowledge and skills. Of course, they must have a sense of dedication to what they are doing, and act in a principled way and in good faith.

I would like to thank the Interior Ministry's senior officials and personnel, as well as the civilian staff for their diligent service, courage and professionalism. I am convinced that you will continue to perform your tasks just as effectively.

Once again, congratulations on your professional holiday. I wish you every success, good health and wellbeing for you and your families.