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18.12.2024 (13:50)

Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation - First Deputy Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Valery Gerasimov held a briefing for military attaches of foreign states

Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation - First Deputy Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Valery Gerasimov held a briefing for military attachés of foreign states in Moscow. The briefing with the participation of foreign military attachés was devoted to the results of the Russian Defence Ministry's activities in 2024.

Good afternoon, honoured ladies and gentlemen!

The Board Session of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation was held two days ago. The Minister of Defence delivered a detailed report summarizing the main results of the activities of the military department this year. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces set tasks to ensure the military security of the State.

The materials of the Board Session are publicly available on the website of the Ministry of Defence, and the event itself was covered in the mass media. I believe that you all had the opportunity to familiarise yourselves with them.

Today, in the course of our traditional meeting, I will focus on the situation in a number of regions of the world and some aspects of the activities of the Armed Forces.

The military political situation in the world is characterised by increase of armed conflicts in the various regions. This fact further undermined the regional and international security.

The main reason of escalation is the desire of the Collective West led by the USA to preserve their global dominance, continue to implement the so-called 'rules-based international order', which has no legal bases from the international law standpoint, by forceful method.

Over the past ten years, we repeatedly drew attention to the growing danger of the transition from the American-led War on Terrorism to instigating conflicts and territorial disputes.

Today we see crises being provoked in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

At the same time, there is a growing global awareness of the need to collectively oppose such Western policies.

The Global South countries, member-states of the SCO and BRICS international organisations are increasingly coordinating steps to ensure sovereignty and protect national interests.

The situation is also aggravated by the crisis in the system of international arms control commitments and agreements.

Since 2002, the United States has undermined all the agreements in this area signed during the Cold War - the ABM Treaty, the INF Treaty, and the Open Skies Treaty.

The reason why the USA withdrew from these agreements was to ensure that new weapons, which were considered the most destructive, could be developed.

First of all, these are medium and shorter range missiles and U.S. missile defence systems for deployment in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, which provokes a strategic offensive arms race.

Global awareness of the dangers of these steps is growing. Many countries have begun to think about appropriate responses.

In general, the topic of arms control is a thing of the past, as a return to a minimum level of trust is now impossible due to the West's double standards. And without trust, it is impossible to create an effective mechanism of mutual arms control.

At the regional level, tensions are rising in Europe.

Under the pretext of the alleged inevitability of an armed conflict between the NATO and the Russian Federation, the alliance, in violation of its commitments, continues its policy of expansion to the East, bringing the bloc's military infrastructure closer to our borders and steadily increasing its military potential.

Washington and Brussels have intensified the implementation of the NATO open door policy. As a result, Finland and Sweden became full members of the organisation, bringing the total number of participants to thirty-two.

Against the backdrop of heightened tensions, there has been an increase in the NATO activity near Russia's borders. The number of large-scale military exercises of the alliance countries has reached forty events per year.

Numerous military contingents are permanently stationed near our borders.

The bloc's anti-Russian rhetoric is borne out by this year's sweeping Steadfast Defender exercise. It involved all the countries of the alliance, practising the issues of large-scale military operations on the European continent.

During the exercise, significant contingents, including American troops, were redeployed to the Russian borders and a provocative deployment of a launcher of the Dark Typhon mobile missile system (range 2,400 kilometres) was carried out on the Danish island of Bornholm.

All these factors are not conducive to increased security for the population of European countries, especially for the new NATO partners, namely, Finland and Sweden.

We closely monitor All NATO exercises as a part of strategic deterrence. Units of the Russian Navy completed combat tasks, worked out the issues of searching for foreign submarines, as well as weapons tracking of ship groups of the NATO countries. Long-range aviation aircraft conducted air patrols in the vicinity of the exercise areas. During this period, air defence forces and means were on high alert to suppress violations of the Russian Federation's airspace.

The situation in the Middle East is steadily deteriorating. The risks of the crisis escalating into a regional war remain.

The most significant factor characterising the situation in the region has been the actual destruction of statehood in the Syrian Arab Republic.

On 27 November, an opposition offensive began from the Idlib de-escalation zone. Government forces were unable to offer sufficient resistance. This is due to the Syrian army's inability to conduct regular combat training and the low morale of its personnel due to the prolonged economic crisis caused by the unprecedented sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies.

In turn, Russia made attempts at a Syrian peace settlement in the Astana Format, but this did not suit primarily the USA and the UK.

Today, the situation in the region remains challenging in the area of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Republic of Lebanon and Yemen.

The humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip has become the largest in the entire period of confrontation in the region.

The support of extra-regional States for the warring parties in the Middle East, the involvement of Lebanon and attempts to provoke Iran create dangerous preconditions for the expansion of the zone of instability in the region.

The situation in Africa remains challenging. This is because Western countries continue to adopt neo-colonial approaches, viewing the continent solely as a source of strategic raw materials. Such approaches are not supported or understood today. The West continues to lose ground in the region as more African countries fight for independence.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, in order to ensure regional security and strengthen control over national territory, proclaimed the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States last September and withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS (comprising 15 States) in January this year due to its inability to assist in the fight against terrorism.

Ukraine-backed terrorist organisations pose a particular threat to the security of the Sahel region. It is about training terrorists in the use of UAVs, training in subversive activities against civilians.

For our part, we will continue to support African partners in defending sovereignty and ensuring a secure environment for their development.

The situation in Transcaucasia remains challenging. Destructive influence on its development is exerted by the aspirations of extra-regional players, primarily the United States and the European Union, to strengthen their positions in the region, hold Georgia and draw Armenia into the orbit of their influence.

The West seeks to destabilise the situation by financing and directing protests in Georgia. These attempts reveal an interest in dragging the country into active anti-Russian actions according to the Ukrainian scenario.

In contrast to the destructive actions of the West, Russia is taking constructive measures in the region.

Thanks largely to the efforts of our state, the positive progress of Baku and Yerevan towards the normalisation of bilateral relations is evident. For example, the demarcation of one of the most difficult sections of the inter-State boundary line between the Gazakh region of Azerbaijan and the Tavush region of Armenia has now been completed.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the White House seeks to reorganise an aseanocentric security system into a network of alliances under its control.

In the interests of the U.S., the largest grouping of troops and forces of about 400,000 strength is deployed in the region.

An Asian NATO is also being establish, where the main role is given to the triple alliance of the US-Japan-Republic of Korea. New formats of engagement involving Australia and the Philippines are being promoted. The AUKUS (Australia, UK, USA) is implementing an ambitious programme to equip Australia with five Virginia-class nuclear-powered multipurpose submarines by 2035.

Russia, China and the DPRK have been announced as opponents of unification. Tensions around Taiwan persist.

Washington has encouraged Taipei's separatist aspirations and supplied it with sophisticated weapons. U.S. Navy ships regularly carry out provocations in the Taiwan Strait.

The U.S. actions in the Philippines, to which Washington has assigned the role of an outpost for its forces, are a cause for concern.

Last year, the White House struck an agreement with Manila to station a U.S. military contingent in the country. Another step in the implementation of these agreements was the relocation of the Dark Typhon mobile missile system to the island of Luzon in April of this year.

All this raises tensions in the region. We are closely monitoring such actions and will work with our partners to respond to them.

To ensure its dominance in the region, it is building up its military presence in high latitudes and developing appropriate military infrastructure near the borders of the Russian Federation. These actions are aimed at coordinating the anti-Russian activities of the alliance and their partners in the Arctic.

They lead to increased tensions and conflict potential. As a response to ensure Russia's security, systematic work is under way to improve the combat capabilities of our Armed Forces and modernise military facilities at the northern latitudes.

The crisis in Ukraine remains a key factor in shaping the politico-military situation both regionally and globally.

The involvement of the countries of the collective West in the confrontation with Russia in the Ukrainian direction creates global risks.

In an effort to inflict a strategic defeat on the Russian Federation, the Collective West is using common Ukrainians as hostages to its aspirations. The destructive policy of the Kiev regime has already led to complete dependence on external management and foreign funding, and as a consequence - the loss of state sovereignty.

The United States and its allies have significantly increased military and military-technical assistance to Ukraine.

As of today, more than 30 countries are supplying military products to Kiev. The most significant contributors are the USA, UK, Germany, France, and Denmark. The total foreign financial aid to Ukraine amounted to about 350 billion dollars, of which about 170 billion dollars for military needs alone.

From February 2022, thousands of weapons and military equipment and a significant amount of ammunition of various types have been handed over to Kiev.

Ukrainian servicemen continue to be trained to the NATO standards, and more than 165,000 people have been trained.

Nevertheless, despite the enormous help from the West, the initiative on the line of contact is in our hands and Russian troops are conducting an offensive along the entire front.

This year, more than 190 settlements have been liberated and some 4,500 square kilometres of territory have been brought under control.

The enemy's losses have amounted to up to one million troops killed and wounded, 20,000 tanks and armoured fighting vehicles, more than 19,500 field artillery guns, and 1,500 MLRS combat vehicles since the beginning of the special military operation.

In response to Russia's successes, the Kiev regime launched a terrorist attack on the Kursk region in early August. The purpose of this provocation is an information effect for Western sponsors. Kiev was counting on pulling back the reserves of Russian troops from Donbass, but this did not happen.

The enemy's advance has been halted. Air strikes and artillery fire foiled attempts by AFU mobile groups and foreign mercenaries to break through deep into Russian territory.

At present, the destruction and extrication of armed formations and foreign mercenaries from occupied population centres is continuing.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the enemy's lost more than 42,000 troops, more than 1,800 tanks and armoured fighting vehicles, more than 350 artillery guns, mortars, and MLRS combat vehicles.

Another round of escalation of the conflict in Ukraine was the authorisation by the United States of America and its NATO allies to use their long-range weapons systems on territory deep inside the Russian Federation.

In essence, the U.S. has authorised itself to use these systems on Russian territory.

The AFU is not able to enter space reconnaissance data on its own, or to ensure the preparation of flight missions for missiles.

In fact, after the strikes on Russian territory, the USA became a direct participant in the conflict, which means its escalation.

On 21 November this year, in response to the use of U.S. and British missiles on the territory of Bryansk and Kursk regions, the Russian Armed Forces completed a test of the latest Oreshnik medium-range missile system against one of the facilities of Ukraine's military-industrial complex.

In the future, we will respond to such actions based on security threat assessments.

Negative changes in the military-political situation have necessitated the refinement of the Fundamentals of State Policy of the Russian Federation in the field of nuclear deterrence and its adaptation to the new realities.

According to the Fundamentals of State Policy approved by the President of the Russian Federation on 19 November this year, aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear State with the participation or support of a nuclear State is considered a joint attack on our country.

The category of States and military alliances against which nuclear deterrence is exercised has been expanded, and the list of military dangers and threats for the neutralisation of which nuclear deterrence can be used has been clarified.

The new fundamentals of state policy became the occasion for an active propaganda campaign in the West, accusing Russia of strengthening its nuclear rhetoric and seeking to lower the threshold of nuclear deterrence.

I emphasise that the so-called deterrence threshold is not defined by any of our country's international obligations and is determined by the need to deter an aggressor and neutralise threats emanating from a potential adversary.

The U.S. doctrine does not clearly define the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons and is substantially lower than in the Russian updated documents.

At the same time, there should be no doubt in anyone's mind that we will take all necessary measures to respond to any threats to security and use the weapons we deem appropriate.

In the current situation, the Russian Defence Ministry continues its planned activities to strengthen the country's defence capability.

During the year, the tasks of increasing the combat potential of the Armed Forces, improving personnel training, troop and weapons management methods were addressed.

The basis of the country's security is the nuclear triad.

As of today, the rearmament of the ground-based Strategic Nuclear Forces grouping to modern mobile ground-launched missile systems has been fully completed. The planned re-equipment of the stationary grouping to the Yars strategic missile system continues.

State trials of the new Borei-A project strategic missile submarine cruiser Knyaz Pozharsky are being finalised in the naval Strategic Missile Forces. In addition, two more Borei-A nuclear-powered submarine cruisers are under construction, which will be incorporated into the Russian Navy by 2028.

Deliveries of the first modernised Tu-160m long-range bombers to have begun this year. The modernisation of the Tu-160 and Tu-95MS aircraft in service continues by equipping them with more powerful engines and new onboard equipment, as well as expanding the range of weapons used.

Today, the share of modern weapons in the Strategic Nuclear Forces is 95 per cent.

In view of the NATO's enlargement and the experience of the special military operation, necessary measures were taken to develop general-purpose forces.

In accordance with the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the phased build-up of the Armed Forces has continued, and their full-time strength has been increased to 1.5 million servicemen.

In the Land Forces, the Moscow and Leningrad Military Districts, two combined arms armies, an army corps and 16 formations were formed this year.

One Russian Aerospace Forces formation has been established to enhance the capabilities of the Russian Federation's aerospace defence system. The formation of the first regiment equipped with the S-500 anti-aircraft missile system capable of strategic missile defence is nearing completion.

In the Russian Navy, a river flotilla and two formations were established. It comprises 38 ships, combat boats and support vessels, including a multi-purpose nuclear submarine and small missile ships, which are carriers of long-range precision weapons.

The main training event for the Armed Forces this year was the Ocean-2024 strategic command and staff exercise It involved the forces of the fleets and the Caspian Flotilla, as well as formations and military units of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

During the exercise in the Far East, Pacific Fleet forces performed joint tasks with ship and air groups of the People's Liberation Army of China.

The Russian Navy demonstrated its readiness to fulfil the tasks of ensuring the defence of national interests in important areas of the world's oceans and regional security together with the armed forces of friendly states.

Ten countries (China, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, DPRK, Nicaragua, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Thailand, India, Indonesia, the DPRK, Nicaragua, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam) were represented as observers at the exercise. This practice of training troops will be continued in the future.

Next year, the main training event for the Armed Forces will be the joint strategic exercise with the armed forces of Belarus Zapad-2025.

Within the framework of military and military-technical co-operation, the pace of co-operation with foreign military departments continued to increase. At the end of the year, more than 700 significant events were organised.

Special attention was paid to consolidating reliable, long-term and mutually beneficial bilateral relations within the framework of the Union State of Russia and Belarus, the CSTO and the CIS, as well as with friendly states from the Asia-Pacific region, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

The course towards the development of a comprehensive strategic partnership with China was continued, as well as the build-up of mutually beneficial military and military-technical co-operation with India.

Comprehensive co-operation with the DPRK has been intensified. In June this year, the heads of Russia and the DPRK signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty.

In the current year, meetings of the CIS Defence Ministers Council, the Council of Defence Ministers of the CSTO, the CSTO Military Committee, the Meeting of Defence Ministers of the SCO member States and others were held.

In the CSTO format, the main efforts were focused on ensuring that the components of the CSTO Troops (Collective Forces) were ready to respond promptly to challenges and threats to the military security of the Organisation's member States. Joint exercises were conducted with the armed forces of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Cooperation with Latin American countries is actively pursued. Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela are now our strategic partners.

Strengthening of defence cooperation will continue.

Cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran is of a strategic nature. In March, the Russian-Iranian-Chinese naval exercise Sea Security Belt was held in the northern part of the Indian Ocean.

Despite the encouragement of blatant Anti-Russian sentiments by the countries of the collective West, there is a high level of interest in the ARMY International Military and Technical Forum

This year, despite attempts of open pressure from the West, the Forum was attended by 80 foreign delegations, 35 of which were headed by heads of military departments and chiefs of general staff, as well as more than 120 foreign companies.

More than 240 expositions were presented on thematic platforms, including those from friendly countries - Belarus, Iran and China.

Exhibitions were held of trophy military equipment captured by Russian servicemen in the course of the special military operation. The exposition consisted of more than 30 exhibits of armoured vehicles and various types of small arms and engineering weapons produced by the NATO member-states.

Next year on 9 May we will celebrate the eightieth anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Today, some countries are trying to distort history and devalue the Great Victory over fascism, destroying monuments and seeking to erase the historical truth about the exploits of the Soviet people.

Russia will always remember and will not allow the heroism of the citizens of the Soviet Union and the countries of the Anti-Hitler coalition shown in the fight against fascism to be forgotten.

Summarising the performance of the Armed Forces this year, I note that all the tasks set by the country's leadership have been accomplished.

The Armed Forces are developing weapons and military equipment are being upgraded, and the level of training of senior personnel and units is increasing.

In conducting the special military operation zone, we have accumulated a great deal of practical experience in the conduct of combat operations by various formations, the use of aviation, air defence and other branches of the armed forces.

The objectives of the special military operation will certainly be achieved.

We have a clear understanding of the capabilities of the potential enemy, its tactics on the battlefield, and the strengths and weaknesses of Western-made weapons.

We know what needs to be done and the challenges ahead. In the future, we will continue to work to create conditions for stabilising the situation at the global and regional levels, as well as the progressive and balanced development of the Army and Navy to ensure the peaceful socio-economic development of our country.

In conclusion, I would like to thank you, dear ladies and gentlemen, for your constructive co-operation, and to congratulate you on the coming New Year 2025 and Christmas. I wish you and your loved ones health, peace and prosperity.

Thank you for your attention.

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