The Russian groups of forces continue to push the enemy out of the occupied positions and prevent it from gaining a foothold on new lines

Photo: Russian MoD

Russian Defence Ministry Board session takes place in Moscow. Today, the National Centre for State Defence Control has hosted the Defence Ministry Extended Board session chaired by Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu (photo).

Before the board session, Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu introduced the new Deputy Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, who is in charge of organising logistics support for the Russian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Andrey Bulyga, appointed by Presidential Decree.

Then, the Minister congratulated submariners on professional holiday. 'Yesterday Russia celebrated the Day of the Submariner – it is a great and significant professional holiday for our country, for our navy men, and not just for them. The merit our submariners have in front of the country, the tasks they have in protecting our Fatherland are difficult to exaggerate. They are definitely important, they are foundational, and I hope that the service of our submariners will continue to guarantee the security of our country, as before. We congratulate submariners on this day since 1906, two years left until the 120th anniversary, it will be a regular anniversary for submariners,' said the Russian Defence Minister.

Then, Sergei Shoigu noted that in accordance with the instructions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the Armed Forces ensure safe voting during the presidential election of the Russian Federation, including in new regions of the country.

In order to disrupt election activities, the Kiev regime has used terrorist methods of pressure on Russian citizens. There was targeted shelling of polling places and State institutions where only civilians were present. This was known both to the AFU commanding officers and to their Western advisors. To prevent terrorist attacks, Russian troops intensified the protection of government and social facilities and reinforced the air defence system.

During the election events, 419 unmanned aerial vehicles and 67 projectiles hav been shot down. In addition, Ukrainian militants attempted to seize border settlements in Belgorod and Kursk regions.

The most intensive actions were carried out near Kozinka. All the enemy's attacks have been successfully repelled, the enemy was driven back from the Russian territory.

The AFU losses in the area of State border covering groups amounted to more than 3,500, more precisely 3,501 people, including 790 non-recoverable casualties over the past eight days. Twenty-three tanks, 34 armoured vehicles including 11 Bradley, five Vampire MLRS launchers, and one Mi-8 helicopter have been neutralised.

'Thanks to the measures taken, it has been possible to save the lives of hundreds of people and to ensure that the vote is conducted,' said Sergei Shoigu.

The Minister also spoke about the participation of the Armed Forces in the presidential election. The Armed Forces of Russian Federation showed an unprecedented turnout of 99.8%. In total, more than 1.5 million troops and civilian personnel of the Russian Armed Forces cast a vote. Particular attention was paid to organising the election in the special military operation zone.

Photo: Russian MoD

The Minister spoke briefly about the situation in the special military operation zone. The Russian groups of forces continue to push the enemy out of the occupied positions and prevent it from gaining a foothold on new lines. As a result of the heavy losses, desertions in the AFU troops have become more frequent. Civilians are being pillaged in Ukrainian-controlled territory. The Kiev regime has been hiding the real situation on the battlefield from the citizens, presenting terrorist attacks against Russian citizens for its successes and increasing forced mobilisation.

The United States and its satellites are extremely concerned about Russian military success. It is becoming increasingly difficult for them to convince the Western community in the need to continue funding and supplying the AFU with arms and ammunition. Faced with this, the Ukrainian command is forced to use the remaining reserves and employ the most expensive foreign hardware.

However, this did not change the situation in the special military operation zone in favour of the enemy. Since the beginning of the year, four Abrams and five Leopard tanks, 27 Bradley vehicles, six HIMARS launchers, 11 anti-aircraft missile launchers, including five Patriots have been neutralised.

In total, the AFU losses during this period, i.e., since early 2024, have amounted to more than 71,000 people and 11,000 units of various weapons. This is almost three times higher than in the same period last year.

The Joint Group of Forces will build on this success and increase fire damage on enemy targets.

According to the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the Russian Armed Forces continue to advance and increase combat capabilities.

The Russian Armed Forces have formed an army corps, a motorised rifle division, the Dnepr River Flotilla, and a riverboat brigade. By the end of the year, The Russian Armed Forces plan to form two combined arms armies and thirty formations, including fourteen divisions and sixteen brigades.

The Minister promised to continue to improve combat training and increase number of military personnel to address emerging threats to the country's military security.

'On my instructions, the Russian Defence Ministry is issuing and introducing electronic certificates for veterans of combat operations. This is done to more effectively ensure social security for the participants of the special military operation, localised wars, and armed conflicts. On 16 March 2024, the Government of the Russian Federation signed an order to that effect,' said the Russian Defence Minister.

The electronic card includes the entire range of social support measures for veterans of combat operations, allows them to receive payments from the Ministry of Defence without the application, federal and regional payments, special privileges of banks, and allowances of their partners in the sphere of trade and services. More than 70,000 applications for electronic authentication have already been received. 'The electronic certificate of a veteran of combat operations' is one of our priorities.

The Minister asked to work towards its implementation in the most active way possible.

Then, the Minister supposed to discuss preparations for the parade on the Red Square to mark the next anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

More than 9,000 people, 75 units of weapons and military hardware, as well as the aircraft of the Aerospace Forces will be involved in this event.

The dismounted column includes regiments, battalions, companies by arms and services of the Armed Forces, sections of participants of the special military operation, sections of Suvorov and Nakhimov schools, Yunarmya, female servicemen, Cossacks, and a combined military orchestra.

This year, military parades will be held in 28 cities. More than 50,000 people and about 1,000 samples of weapons and military hardware will take part in them.

Then, Sergei Shoigu supposed to discuss the implementation of the Southern Military District's Activity Plan.

'The situation regarding the special military operation in Ukraine remains difficult in the South-West strategic direction. Under these conditions, the Southern Military District continues to build up combat capabilities. In accordance with the Activity Plan, there are 17 staffing measures being carried out, more than 16,000 pieces of modern weapons and military equipment are being supplied, and more than 360 military infrastructure facilities are being put into service. Great attention is paid to issues of health care and social security, and those concerning provision of  military-provided and permanent housing for military personnel,' said the Russian Defence Minister.

The Minister noted that to date, 744 servicemen of the Southern Military District and their families have already moved into their  military-provided apartments. More than 700 people are provided with permanent accommodation, including 582 under the Military Mortgage Programme.

'The implementation of the District's Activity Plan allows it to successfully fulfil its tasks and ensure the country's military security in this strategic area,' said Sergei Shoigu.

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