Meeting with Uralvagonzavod Tank Makers

Interesting work crew. No grease on anyone. And a very clean shop as the video shows. The still photos are here. One of the national projects that gets mentioned often is the modernization and revitalization of Russian cities and rural regions that’s part of the overall economic stimulus plan that was developed @2010. Some readers will have read comments from those living in the new Russian regions about the neglect shown by Kiev since independence in 1991, that was very apparent within Crimea when it became Russian again in 2014. Well, much of Russia was also neglected during the 1990s, and those areas that were never modernized during the Soviet period became even worse off. So, in a very real sense, Russia under Putin is finally becoming a modern nation from West to East and South to North. Once the conflict ends and the amount of military production declines, there’ll be plenty of projects to start and finish to keep industry busy for decades.

And now for the chat between Putin and the tank makers. All emphasis mine:

Vladimir Putin: Hello! How are you?"

Remark: Good. We are working.

Vladimir Putin: I see, I know. I want to thank you, as they say in such cases, from myself personally and from our guys who use your equipment. Worthy of the best epithets. And the T-72 upgraded, and the T-90.

I know that your brigades also go to the special military operation zone, work almost on the contact line, help our servicemen, restore equipment. Great. But the quality of work is also very good, of course.

And how is your city? Developing?

Cue: Developing.

Vladimir Putin: In 2013, we did one program supporting the development of the city, and then another. Has something changed?

Remark: Of course, and very strongly.

Vladimir Putin: We had several areas there: roads, lighting, parks. Six directions, I think.

A. Kalityuk: The development is real: parks are being laid out, embankments are being restored, lighting has really been added, the quality of roads has improved, and repairs are being carried out all year round.

Vladimir Putin: What else should I do?

A. Kalityuk: What else? Probably nothing.

Mikhail Sidorov: Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,

Mikhail Sidorov, welder of the mechanical assembly shop. I don't have a question for you, but rather an appeal.

As you know, two years ago, almost as a team, we unconditionally supported the launch of a special military operation. Then we openly stated this at our meeting, and at the same time we noted that our company is historically connected with Ukraine.

As you know, at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the Kharkov plant was evacuated to us in the Urals. Evacuation is not just about moving machines and equipment. Workers and specialists also came to Tagil, often they came as whole families. So, side by side with the Urals, in a short time, in a little over two months, they rebuilt the production of the legendary T-34.

After the end of the war, many of the evacuated Ukrainians stayed to work here, started families, and put down roots. It is with the Urals that they have connected the history of their generations. We will not go far, for sure many of us somehow have family ties in Ukraine. And it was all the more monstrous for all of us to watch what happened there in recent years, how neo-Nazism flourished there, how people were dying, and the most terrible thing was that children were dying, and all because they simply did not agree with this state of affairs.

Looking at all this, we have proved our support for the special military operation not in words, but in deeds. We were among the first to establish a round-the-clock operation mode at the enterprise, and increased production several times. And we are ready to work in this mode for as long as it takes, because we all have the example of our predecessors. This is exactly how our fathers and grandfathers worked, and we are well aware that only with this approach will all the goals of a special military operation be achieved.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, you can be sure that Uralvagonzavod is for you, for Russia.

Thank you for your visit.

Vladimir Putin: I don't doubt it. You know, I must say it bluntly, and as it has always been, everyone knows it, we have never made a difference between Russians and Ukrainians, between Russia and Ukraine.

The overwhelming majority of those who have lived in Ukraine and the absolute overwhelming majority of those who live in Russia have always believed, to be honest, that this is actually the same thing.

But after the Great Patriotic War, which you just mentioned, some of these nationalists and Nazi elements who collaborated with Hitler fled abroad, fled to the States, to Canada, and the enemy made a bet on them.

In fact, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, they were the ones who came to power, and it doesn't even matter what the last name of this or that president was, because they behaved aggressively, brazenly, and everyone immediately fell under them. They came to power with the help of the voices of the south-west [of Ukraine], where there was always a Russian mood, people considered themselves Russian, even though it was written in their passport.

They came with the help of these votes – and immediately fell under them [nationalists], because they behaved impudently, impudently and had support from abroad, primarily from the States, of course. That's what it all happened for. And those who once collaborated with the Nazis remained in these positions – and now they are doing the same.

You know, in the literature… It is well known from history: why do they rely on Bandera and others like him-Shukhevych and others? Why? Because they say that they allegedly worked, collaborated with the fascists, with the Nazis, with the Hitlerites, with Hitler, sought the independence of Ukraine, and then the Germans began to persecute them. So they began to pursue them not because they abandoned their views, but because they kept their nose in the wind, realized that Germany was losing the war, and began to restore and try to improve relations with the Western allies. The Germans saw it right away, and they went to the camps. So the idea came up that they weren't really Nazis at all. They are natural Nazis, one hundred percent.

And if they start turning their noses around and thinking about who else to lean on, it's not because they've changed their minds or changed their views, no. Because they realized that Nazi Germany was losing the war. Well, that's it. They were still Nazis.

Their descendants – neo-Nazis-are absolutely the same as those with whom we fought during the Great Patriotic War.

If today someone speaks from the same positions in a broader format, these are people who betray their fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, those who really fought against Nazism. And now they line up according to the political situation, so it's more profitable, they look at those who are in power. And in power, those who were promoted by the authorities in various ways, and by subtle work with large groups of the population, were put there. They simply control this territory and these people. That's all. But there has never been and will never be any sympathy for the Nazis in Russia.

And as for our attitude to Ukraine, to the Ukrainian people, I have said this many times, and just recently I said it again. I think that the overwhelming majority of Russian citizens share such approaches. But of course, we will fight against any manifestations of extreme nationalism and Nazism, and we will protect our people who live there. I have no doubt that this is your approach to this matter. Thank you for this position. And thank you for your work, most importantly.

I know that there are not enough skilled workers. We will also work on it. You have two technical schools, right?

Alexander Potapov: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: We have been talking to them since we arrived, and we will help to support them. There is a shortage of about one and a half thousand skilled workers. We need to restore it.

How much can two technical schools give? 600 people a year, right? So we'll give you extra money for one technical school and another. One is basic, the one assigned to the region, and the other is assigned to a federal university. On all channels, we will give them a little-not a little, but, probably, under 400 million, right?

Alexander Potapov: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: We will give 400 million rubles to support them.

So you will have someone to share your experience and knowledge with. We hope that given the increase in wages, it will still be both interesting and prestigious. I don't know, I think it's interesting.

I go and look with pleasure at the results of your work. So thank you very much.

Dmitry Vakhrusheva: Mr President, my name is Daria Vakhrusheva and I am a weapons inspector.

It is very interesting, how do you see the future of Russia, in particular the military-industrial complex, in 5-10 years?

Vladimir Putin: You know, it's not hard to say that. Why? Because it depends on how the country is developing in general, how the world is developing, what our priorities and needs are. 5-10 years is such a medium-term prospect.

First, as far as the defense industry is concerned, we need to meet the needs of today and we need to restore all our strategic reserves. Therefore, for a purely defense complex, there is more than enough work.

In general, the defense industry showed very good results over the previous year and a half.

As for individual armor protection on the battlefield for our guys, our own production has increased tenfold, the production of vehicles of various classes has increased seven times, the production of tanks that you are engaged in has increased five times – not by any percentage, but by five times-and the production of armored vehicles of various classes has increased by five times. 3.5 times. Everything is growing at times.

Part of the equipment is dropped out and needs to be replaced. This is a part of the equipment that came for repair, you are working with it – T-62, T-72. It will go away, we need new modern equipment, including such machines that you make – the T-90 "Breakthrough", the best tank in the world. It is no exaggeration to say that our guys are tankers, and the enemy also admits that it is the best vehicle in the world. We need to develop it; we will need to think about new generations of equipment. And design engineers know what needs to be worked on, and they are already working today. Therefore, all defense industry enterprises will be provided with orders for sure.

It's not just about military equipment. Already, at about 25 percent on average in the defense industry, enterprises of the military-industrial complex produce civilian products. And in the structure of production, the volume of this civilian equipment will increase; and at the defense industry enterprises it is not primitive; it is not just spoons, forks, plates, it is also high-tech equipment. There will also be a lot in this area, in civilian life and work, and interesting orders.

(Turning to A.Potapov.) Uralvagonzavod – how much rolling stock have you produced?

A. Potapov: Last year there were six thousand mobile vehicles, and this year we plan to have 12 [thousand].

Vladimir Putin: 12 thousand rolling stock units. We will move to another company right now, and then we will go again tomorrow – they make not only railcars, but also locomotives in other places. What do I mean? Yes, we currently have the most pressing tasks in the area of a special military operation, but we also have a large civil agenda.

For example, we will now discuss issues related to the development of high-speed railways. There will need a large number of modern rolling stock, because railway trains will run at a speed of 400 kilometers per hour. They need modern, up-to-date railway equipment that meets international standards, and perhaps a step further. And as far as I understand, your company also makes specialized equipment for Russian Railways, right?

Alexander Potapov: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: And this technique will also be in demand.

We have a lot of work to do, as people say, and we have a lot to work on. So don't worry, we'll do everything.

I. Byrylov: Ilya Byrylov, design engineer.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, we have a really beautiful city, and it is developing and getting even better. But many young people are now moving to larger cities in search of a better life. We have jobs and places to get an education. Many young families are being formed, and in cities like Nizhny Tagil, support is needed for families to take root here.

We know that there is such a program as "Young Family", but it is valid until 2025. Are there any plans to continue it, or any alternative programs?

Vladimir Putin: Are you married?" Do you have a family?

Igor Byrylov: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: Any kids?"

Igor Byrylov: There are no children yet.

Vladimir Putin: How old are you?

I. Byrylov: 33.

Vladimir Putin: But you work well at the factory. And in the family? 33-Christ's age, it's time to have kids.

The Young Family program you mentioned is a good one. It is good because it provides a fairly good subsidy-from 30 to 33 percent - for repayment of loans taken out for the purchase of housing. It is very much in demand. I don't remember exactly, but I think we financed about $ 14.5 billion under this program last year. And this one is planned to have about the same amount, in my opinion, a little more – 14.7 billion. But in general, support for young families, especially families with children, is an absolute priority.

If we want to survive, you know, if we want to survive as an ethnic group or ethnic groups inhabiting Russia, there must be at least two children. But what about it? Two people produce two children, which means that the number of people remains the same and does not decrease. If there is one child, the same number decreases. And to expand and develop, you need at least three children.

But everything we do is somehow connected with family support, so we will keep this program. Money has already been provided for this year and for 2025 in approximately the same amount. And of course, we will not just think, but will definitely extend this program beyond the three-year budgeting horizon. This program will continue.

We still have a preferential mortgage at six percent, and, of course, we will constantly think about how to get a new mortgage.… I'm not going to list everything right now. You as a future father and your wife as a future mother will be interested to see. Take a look at everything that is being done in this area. We now have a single subsidy-a conditional subsidy-for families with children from a woman's pregnancy and even up to 23 years old, if your child is receiving an education.

There is a whole big program there, and we will certainly improve it. And I will think again, I don't just want to talk in advance, I will agree with the Government on some things, maybe I will formulate them in the annual Message [to the Federal Assembly], and we will announce some additional measures. We'll see. I don't want to announce this in advance, but we need to work on it so that it is all serious and feasible.

Igor Byrylov: Thank you. We will try our best.

A. Igisheva: Arisha Igisheva, process engineer.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, we have a wonderful museum complex with the most unique exhibits, which shows the entire history, as well as the scientific and technical progress of our enterprise. It was with it that my childhood acquaintance with Uralvagonzavod began.

Today, thousands of children from schools in our city, region and even the country visit this museum, and no one remains indifferent.

Paying attention to the joyful faces of the children and realizing that we can attract them to our technology, and in the future attract them to our industry, we want to offer you to introduce these excursions into the mandatory school curriculum, so that it is at the federal level.

Vladimir Putin: That's what we do.

On the federal level – I do not know how to do this, because the museums you are talking about are usually regional, or local, or this is how you work in production [status]. It is quite difficult to regulate all this from the federal level. But we support it, we talk about it all the time with the governors and regional leaders, and it is supported at the regional level.

Do you have a museum right here, at the enterprise?

A. Igisheva: At the enterprise behind the checkpoint.

Vladimir Putin: Behind the checkpoint? That is, not on the territory.

Remark: No.

Vladimir Putin: That is, it is not related to the [object] mode. I'll talk to you, the governor is just a little sick. He'll be in a video conference call today. We'll talk to him, Yevgeny Vladimirovich. I think if you need some kind of support from the region, it will be. (Turning to A.Potapov.) Do you need any support from the museum? A museum from the enterprise, right?

Alexey Potapov: Yes, this is a museum of the enterprise, and, in fact, everyone who enters the plant is the first task here: you will cross the checkpoint only when you have studied the history of the plant. This is about factory workers.

And what is being said now is extremely necessary in our understanding. Because it is not only the Uralvagonzavod enterprise. We have such museums... the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant is a great museum! It is located separately, not in the perimeter, that is, you do not need to pass the checkpoint. When, indeed, the guys come, we even have such a practice, we go, relatively speaking, from Tagil to Chelyabinsk, from Chelyabinsk… If we did this at the level of the Ministry of Education, so that it would be… Do you remember what it was like at school, when we were required to go? Here is to revive all the good and good, because what is said is very rational.

Vladimir Putin: All right, I'll talk to the Minister of [Education] Sergey Sergeyevich [Kravtsov], and he – with the regions, where there are such museums, will try to somehow pack it into one program. It's a good idea.

Dmitry Krivich: Mr President, may I ask your permission?

Vladimir Putin: Yes, please.

Dmitry Krivich: My name is Denis Krivich, chief specialist in special equipment.

2024 has been declared the Year of the Family. Uralvagonzavod has many dynasties, there are 37 of them only with more than 300 years of work experience. People work side-by-side in workshops and also pass on their experience from generation to generation. Is it possible to determine some kind of state award for honored dynasties of our industry?

Vladimir Putin: Good idea. To be honest, it didn't occur to me, frankly.

Recently, we made a sign "For success in work". Then quite recently, this year, I was in Tula and announced that a new order of labor valor was established. In my opinion, we also made changes to the statute of the five orders: they can be awarded to both individuals and legal entities, that is, labor collectives. But it didn't occur to anyone to somehow turn it around in the direction of labor dynasties, but it did to you.

It's a good idea. I am not ready to answer right now, but I will definitely ask my colleagues in both the Administration and the Government to think through this and suggest a solution. Good idea, great idea.

Dmitry Krivich: Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you for the idea.

V. Frolova: Hello!

My name is Valeria Frolova, I am a supply economist.

Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,

Vladimir Putin: That means you save on supplies. (Laughter.)

V. Frolova: On the contrary, we supply them.

Vladimir Putin: It's a joke.

V. Frolova: In October 2021, your Decree established Father's Day. This wonderful holiday was timed to coincide with the creation of the corporate contest " Come on, girls!".

(addressing I. Byrylov): Vladimir Putin and you are like a stranger at this celebration of life. (Laughter.)

Igor Byrylov: We will try our best.

V. Frolova: This holiday was the occasion of the creation of the corporate contest "Come on, Girls!", which was held for the second time this year. I had a chance to participate just this year, and I became the winner. The factory workers loved this contest very much, and it will definitely become a traditional one for our company.

My parents told me that such contests were very popular in the USSR and were shown on central television, and now it has been revived in our country. And this, in our opinion…

Vladimir Putin: We'll show you.

V. Frolova: We'll show you. And this, in our opinion, is very important, because in many foreign countries the family and its traditional values are devalued.

Vladimir Putin: There won't even be any families there soon.

V. Frolova: And with this in mind, I would like to suggest reviving such a competition at the national level and choosing our city to host it, because we have everything for this: our pearl is the Palace of culture, sports facilities, and a modern hotel. We have a beautiful city where we will be happy to welcome girls from other regions. We also have a lot of great single guys.

Please consider our proposal, Mr President.

Vladimir Putin: Fine. So that there is a platform where you can communicate further on common interests, in order to establish the necessary connections and contacts in the future-you are talking about this, right? Necessarily.

I can't say right now how quickly we will do this, in what format, whether it will be done regularly or not, but we will definitely respond to your suggestion. I guarantee you that, and here we'll figure out how to do it.

V. Frolova: Thanks

Alexey Rybnikova: Mr President, Nizhny Tagil is also called Putingrad, because Tagil residents always support you.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.

A. Rybnikova: We have been waiting for this meeting for a very long time, and it is a great honor for us. Vladimir Vladimirovich, may I share a photo with you?

Vladimir Putin: Of course, with pleasure.

The revival of the good and the good from the Soviet era is an ongoing theme that was prompted by the 30 Years of Russia exhibition at VDNKh. Social recognition and the importance of family were foundational aspects that underlay Soviet society even when the Communist Party leadership rotted and stopped believing in itself. Frankly, Russia survives and grows stronger because of Russians; they just refuse to be ground into the mud. But they do need to procreate to continue. I’m sure we’ll read more about that issue as Putin continues to have discussions with young adults.

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