Putin Meets with Student SMO Participants

Vladimir Putin visited the St. Petersburg State Marine Technical University where he met with students who participated in the special military operation. The visit occurred on 26 January 2024 and is one of several events that got thrown into the queue due to other events; so, the Gym will be doing a bit of catching up over the next several entries. Part of the visit consisted of a tour of some educational and scientific laboratories of the St. Petersburg State Marine Technical University that also included its Sports, Medical and Preventive Center facilities. Here’s what the Kremlin said about the facility:

The St. Petersburg State Marine Technical University is a leading Russian institution that trains professionals from all areas of the world in a range of shipbuilding specialties. Key research areas activities of the university – information technology, life management cycle of complex objects, mathematical and simulation modeling, AR and VR, digital transformation of industrial production, cyber-physical systems, Special & Industrial Robotics, Laser & Additive Industrial technologies, arctic and composite shipbuilding.

A rather unique blend of subject matter. As with previous forums of this type, Putin wants to hear the student’s stories, listen to their suggestions, ask questions, and give thanks to them as is his way that’s remained steady throughout his years as Russian President. In other words, this isn’t some sort of campaign photo op that we’re so accustomed to in the West; rather, it’s a sincere visit to those who will be forging Russia’s future in the decades ahead. Now for the talk; all emphasis mine:

Vladimir Putin: Dear friends, good afternoon! I am glad to welcome you all!

This is not an ordinary contingent, first of all, people who themselves, voluntarily, although there are also mobilized, but most of them are young people who independently made the decision to go to the war zone. Many did not take advantage of the opportunity to continue their studies, but, on the contrary, interrupted their studies in order to serve their Homeland at a particularly difficult time and difficult conditions.

I think that all of you, having returned from the war zone, probably already realized all this yourself, will return completely different people. Because it's one thing to look at the Internet, watch someone's performances, and another thing is to be in the trenches, where shells fall, where bullets whistle, where mines are, where drones fly like flies, where it's cold and dangerous. That's a different story altogether. This can not but affect the person, his worldview as a whole.

Nevertheless, all people are adults and consciously made appropriate decisions. I know that on the one hand, your relatives are proud of you, but on the other hand, they are very worried about you, they are praying for you, there is no doubt.

I want to thank you for this decision and bow low to your parents for bringing up young people like you. It is generally in the nature of our people not to feel sorry for themselves in a difficult moment for the Motherland, to lend a shoulder to the country. This shows once again that it is passed down from generation to generation, and no matter what anyone says about our youth in different periods of time, life always puts everything in its place.

Students in the whole country react very vividly to the events that take place in the country and around our country. Everything, almost everything. 19 tons of blood were donated by students from different universities of the country in order to support our fighters who are in need-19 tons! And this is a process that is constantly ongoing.

There are probably volunteers working here, too, and I know there are some. They do it sincerely, and you know, in this sense, the whole country has sincerely turned towards those who, without sparing themselves, defend their Homeland on the battlefield. Probably, there are issues that require additional attention, solutions, something needs to be adjusted always, because the combat zone is large-almost two thousand kilometers, and there are more than 600 thousand people in the combat zone. The mechanism is huge, sometimes, I must say directly, like any state mechanism, it works with certain administrative costs. But, as a matter of fact, this is what we have gathered for, and I asked you to organize this meeting in order to hear from you how this work is going, how it is organized, and what you think needs to be done in addition, so that these difficulties are as small as possible and that they are reduced to zero.

That, in fact, is all I would like to say at the beginning. Please let us be in free mode and talk.

You are welcome.

Mikhail Chudanovich: Mr President, everyone present, hello!

My name is Maxim Nikolaevich Chudanovich. In the spring of 2023, I volunteered for military service and joined my own people. He was assigned to a communications battalion.

On my own behalf, on behalf of my comrades and on behalf of our compatriots who live there, "behind the ribbon", I want to thank you for your, I am sure, difficult decision to launch a special military operation to protect and save civilians from the genocide to which they were subjected for many years by the Nazi regime in Kiev. Of course, with the support of the Western regime, those who themselves are the cause of many wars and humanitarian disasters around the world. A sort of puppet master, I would say jackals in sheep's clothing.

People were really killed there, I don't know it from the news. They asked for help, but the world community did not hear them. My comrades and I believe in our victory. We believe that children who grew up in war will be able to start a peaceful life in the near future, and the beautiful will not be cruel to them.

Comrade Supreme Commander, the guys who are in the fields and on the front line believe in you, believe in your support and asked me to tell you that the victory will be ours.

I would also like to thank the command of the 1st Brigade of the Western Military District and the Bonch-Bruevich St. Petersburg State University of Telecommunications for the opportunity to continue their Master's degree program.

I know that there are already other students who participate in the special military operation, and the university is trying to support them. From conversations with students, I learned that the university does not have its own stadium or sports infrastructure. In this regard, I appeal to you to help and influence the Bonchevites to finally have their own stadium.

Before entering the military service, I was engaged in social activities, including volunteering: I participated in organizing the collection of humanitarian aid and delivering it to the war zone. These are anti-drone equipment, communications equipment, medicine, camouflage nets, and so on. And I have already been "behind the tape".

It is most convenient for volunteers, at least from St. Petersburg and Moscow, to use commercial routes in the southern direction, taking gumka and, of course, returning home. Therefore, I ask you to consider granting the right of free and unhindered use of such roads to official volunteer associations and organizations, of course, taking into account that this right is not abused.

I would also like to say that it is an honor for me and my relatives – the living and the celestials – that I am present with my comrades here today, at this event with you. Until recently, I could not even think about it. We are with you.

Thank you for your attention.

Vladimir Putin: Maxim Nikolaevich, first of all, as for the decision to launch a free trade zone. I have said this many times, and I will say it again in this audience: there were no other considerations, except for one-protecting the interests of Russia. No. There were and cannot be any other motives for resolving issues of this kind.

Let me remind you that we have tried in every possible way to build relations with Ukraine for decades, no matter what we did: both preferential loans, energy carriers at bargain prices, and our market were provided-well, everything-no, after all, the actual owner of Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the actual owner, were nationalists and those who represents them. No matter who was elected with the help of the south-east of Ukraine, with the help of voters who live in the south-east, this nationalist platform, its representatives very quickly subordinated everyone to their will, because they are active, energetic and aggressive, and everyone immediately looked into their eyes.

Farther. Nevertheless, we very patiently, relying on the pro-Russian part of Ukrainian society, of course, only by peaceful means built relations, and there were no other thoughts in our minds. But, apparently, our geopolitical opponent realized that it would not be possible to simply turn over the entire Ukraine with the population of the south-east, with the Russian-speaking population, and therefore in 2014 they carried out a coup d'etat, began to exterminate, physically exterminate everyone who was set up for the normal development of relations with our country. They just started physically exterminating us. It became obvious that we would not be able to build normal relations with our neighbor.

In addition, after the coup, as you know, the events in the Donbass began, the extermination of people in the Donbass, it lasted for eight years, almost nine, and then they simply refused to implement the Minsk agreements, they simply publicly stated: we will not, we do not like anything in these agreements. And the fighting continued there, and I know, in my opinion, there are also those who have been monitoring this situation since the first months or even in this zone, they will surely confirm this from those present here. And everything that happened there, especially in the territories occupied by the enemy, is genocide, there is no other way to call it. Exterminating people is simple. The Russians were declared a non-titular nation there, and the law was passed on our historical territories. I don't want to use profanity… That is, I want, on the contrary, to use. But since the cameras are working here and the girls are present, it's impossible. But I want to use it.

The Russians were declared, in fact, a non-titular nation in our historical territories. And they announced that they would not implement the Minsk agreements. At the same time, they actively continued to work on creating an anti-Russian platform in the territory that is now called Ukraine. They just started creating such an enclave. We were deceived ten times in a row about the non-expansion of NATO. But all of this together just left us with no choice but to start trying, and we launched a special military operation. But this is not the beginning of the war, they themselves started the war in the Donbas in 2014. This is an attempt to end this war. Yes, by armed means in response to their use of armed forces. It's in this part.

I am confident that we will achieve our goals and objectives.

Now about volunteers and cargo transportation. Military cargo is transported freely on all roads of the country without restrictions, including toll highways, free of charge. There are exceptions for volunteer loads, which are very important, but I think that you, more than anyone else, know this. Of course, the state is obliged to provide everything, and the state is doing it, as far as I understand, the situation is still improving, but nevertheless there are always a lot of small things that would seem to be really important for people, for a particular person who is in difficult conditions of military operations. I was told just yesterday or the day before yesterday that they bought tangerines and brought them back. A small thing, it would seem, but still for people who are on the front line, it's immediately someone who remembers their childhood, the New Year's holiday, and so on. These little things make up life.

So this is very important. And the volunteer movement itself is very important, it unites the country, unites all citizens of the country, regardless of age, material or social status, the whole country is united, and this is very important. Of course, we need to provide volunteers, and we are trying to provide them with all possible assistance.

As for the transportation of goods on toll roads, it is clear that toll roads are built at the expense of commercial loans, at the expense of the companies that do this, they should sort of recapture investments. Nevertheless, this issue concerning the transportation of volunteer cargo should be resolved – they should be transported free of charge, I agree. You need to do it carefully, you need to make an appropriate decision.

Do you know what the problem is? The problem is the axle load. We are currently building a number of roads, including, say, the Moscow–Kazan road. A large amount of cargo was delivered on regional roads, and the load on the axle there is no more, in my opinion, 12 tons should be. So now we need about 43 billion rubles to restore regional roads, because they were destroyed during the construction of another road. To avoid such things, we must, of course, think through all this, calculate it. But it must be done, I agree with you, and it will be done.

Mikhail Chudanovich: Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Also about the Bonch-Bruevich Institute and the stadium, yes, you said? This, however, is not directly related to the organization of events within the framework of the CBE, but it is still an important issue, especially for students who are young people and want to play sports or even Paralympic sports. This, of course, needs to be done.

Gleb Andreevich, how much did you say it cost you – 600 million?

Turichin: A sports complex, yes, a volleyball arena and a swimming pool.

Vladimir Putin: It was Nikolai Platonovich who helped you.

G. Turichin: We also have an open stadium.

Let's talk to Bonch, they'll probably be visiting us for a while.

Vladimir Putin: They probably already use other sites, but they want to have their own.

A normal indoor stadium somewhere costs about 250 million. That's why Gleb Andreyevich got a little tweaked, just twice. Two times is not so much, say the builders. We also need to deal with them, who built them there. You can build a good stadium for about 250 million rubles.

Bonch-Bruevich-surely this is a good institution with traditions, it is in a normal state, right, Valery Nikolaevich? Everything is fine?

Vladimir Falkov: Yes, this is a very good institute, and in the most popular specialties: information security, microelectronics, Vladimir Vladimirovich. They have a plot of land.

Vladimir Putin: What needs to be done? It is necessary that the Bonch-Bruevich Institute itself finds some money, which they probably have from the extra-budgetary budget, even if a small part, but somewhere in the 20, 30, 40 million they can find-the first.

Second – we need the city to help. Alexander Dmitrievich?

A. Beglov: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: The city will also benefit a little from the federal budget. As we say among the people: with the world on a thread-a naked shirt. Therefore, we will help in this way, I will talk to the Ministry of Finance, we will find these funds. The institute itself will give a little, the city will give a little. But, by the way, DOM.RF, if it has an interest in some areas, could also give it a little bit of land, it would also contribute its money to the construction of the stadium. In any case, this can definitely be done, and we will do it.

You are welcome.

Alexander Malov: First of all, Mr President, I would like to thank you for your timely support to the defenders of the Motherland who were injured in the course of their combat missions. The mechanism of providing medical care and rehabilitation works perfectly now, that is, from the stage of rehabilitation to prosthetics, everything is just fine. Both doctors and medical staff show the highest level of professionalism, which is important.

Comprehensive support is also provided both on behalf of the Ministry of Defense – they offer further employment in the structure of the Ministry of Defense according to education and experience, as well as psychological support and assistance. As it concerns me directly, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the third branch of the Vishnevsky Hospital. Many thanks to the doctors and medical staff for their professionalism, skill, and patience, especially to our attending physicians – surgeons Ksenia Petrovna Koroleva, Konstantin Olegovich Rumyantsev, and Georgy Georgievich Vasiliev. There is also the expression "doctor from God", this is not just a form of speech, they really work wonders.

In addition to the fact that doctors treat, they are also engaged in the preparation of certificates for further insurance payments. Here is a suggestion: can I create a single form for receiving insurance payments?

Currently, there are three sets of documents that need to be generated: this is the military medical commission, the results, then there is the severity of the injury and disability, who has it. All these three sets of documents are formed, in fact, separately and sent to the insurance company. Since they are massive, quite often this process is very delayed. Optimization should be considered, as it will be of interest to all parties.

Vladimir Putin: As for prosthetics, there is still a lot to do. You personally are fine with this, God forbid that it is so, but there must be modern means of rehabilitation, and here we need to work on this. It is impossible for anyone to have a monopoly, so that not only one agency provides one company that works in this direction, and that's all.

There is a lot to work on here. I was surprised to learn that when a person is given modern means of rehabilitation, some kind of mechanical prostheses are made, this actually replaces the real arm or leg, and in this regard, the level of payments is reduced. This is some kind of nonsense, but it is spelled out in the documents that did not arise just now, they arose some number of years ago. This, of course, is unacceptable, and I have already pointed it out to the Government. I hope that everything there will be brought in line with reality and common sense. This is the first one.

Secondly, it is necessary that such modern means of rehabilitation should be sufficient. The Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, together with the Government and the Ministry of Labor, should also work on this and submit additional proposals in the very near future. We will definitely improve and expand the improved mechanisms.

Now about the VVC references and so on. Do you understand what's going on? Then to the insurance company. The insurance company has nothing to do with it, it does what the Ministry of Defense tells it to do. The Ministry of Defense prescribes what is set out in the 1998 Government decree. This resolution is based on the fact that the certificates that you mentioned – the VVC, injury, disability, and so on, and then, maybe, from the unit commander – they are all not for one person, but for people who have encountered different situations: one needs a VVC certificate, the other – about a serious injury, the third – a certificate from the commander.

This 1998 decree, of course, should be reviewed. All these references are provided for different people. It's not just one person who has to put it all together: one needs one thing, the second needs the second, and the third needs the third. This is done precisely on the basis of ensuring so-called social justice and avoiding any mistakes.

But it is absolutely certain: if there are situations in which one person has to run around the instances – this should be excluded. The Ministry of Defense and the Government will definitely be instructed to work out all this. They will do so soon.

Alexander Malov: There is still such a point about the social support measures that have been adopted.

When the mobilization was announced, I was mobilized, and they announced a credit vacation. How did it work out?

Vladimir Putin: Not immediately, but it was announced.

Alexander Malov: It's probably not so much about that.

It turns out that payments are frozen, but the percentage continues to accumulate. That is, I was confronted with a situation when I was injured, and I looked at it in the hospital: it was the debt owed to the bank that increased.

I will not present the situation in a vacuum, but will tell you about my own. I have a consumer account and a mortgage.

Vladimir Putin: Yes.

A. Malov: The mortgage market has grown from one million 700 thousand to one million 900 thousand during this time, and the consumer market – from 620 to 850.

I contacted the bank and described the situation. They told me: yes, the percentage continues to accumulate. In the future, it turns out that the payment amount increases. Can this moment be analyzed? Because, on the one hand, you protect your Homeland, and on the other hand, it turns out such an unpleasant situation.

Vladimir Putin: Yes. The lawmakers proceeded from the fact that a person who fights has the right not only to a salary or payment of monetary allowances, and, in general, it is quite decent, taking into account the average income in the country – 200 or more thousand rubles a month, but also a number of benefits and support measures. Now I won't list all this, there are a lot of them: both regional and federal, and so on. One of them is credit holidays. In general, this is a plus, of course, when a person goes to a war zone, he stops paying the loan. By the way, this benefit applies to family members and their spouse. But what happens? It turns out that when a person is in a war zone, he does not pay the loan and does not pay interest, but they accumulate. True, they accumulate along a declining trajectory, because it is considered that the loan is not paid, but if it was paid, then its body decreases, by three percent. But they kind of have to come to naught. But nevertheless, they accumulate.

Then what happens? A person returns from the free trade zone, does not pay anything for 30 days either, and only after a month legal credit relations with a financial institution or a bank are resumed. It starts paying the loan body and current interest. When he pays everything, then comes the moment of payment of the interest that has accumulated over the period of time when these credit holidays were held.

And of course, I also agree with you, Alexander Vladimirovich, I completely agree, it turns out that a person pays this interest twice. However, from the point of view of a financial organization, they have their own logic, they say: we have given money, the money is worth something, we have given it away, we cannot use it in the turnover of a financial institution, we have given it away, and we have the right to expect payment for this money, which we have given away or which we do not use. Nevertheless, I can't disagree here, you didn't go on vacation, you went to war. So this, of course, must be borne in mind. And this issue must be resolved. We will solve it within two to three weeks.

I think so: the person came, the vacation is over, a month has passed, normal relations with the credit institution begin, well, all right. Both interest and payment of the debt body. And nothing that has accumulated should be paid out anymore. And nothing should accumulate, no interest. I agree.

Alexander Malov: Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: And we will do it.

Vladimir Lysachenko: Mr President, good afternoon!

My name is Lera Lysachenko, I'm from the Voronezh Region. Opposite us sits my colleague Dima Mitin from Murmansk. In the Voronezh People's Front, I am responsible for young people. From the very beginning of the special military operation, the People's Front team and I have been providing every possible support and assistance to the guys who are now on the front line. This includes sending medicines, equipment, things, as well as letters from schoolchildren, and sometimes we carry humanitarian aid ourselves.

Last year, a Voronezh team and I took part in a humanitarian mission in Rostov-on-Don. For two weeks, we worked with students and young people at the warehouse of the humanitarian mission "Everything for victory!", and also visited Mariupol for three days, and we had a unique opportunity to communicate with the participants of the special military operation and learn about their needs. We learned what chargers, shanks, and vents are. As the guys told us, there are not many of these products. This trip had a very strong impact on us, on the team, and one of the members of my team decided to move from Voronezh to Rostov. Today, she works daily in the warehouse of the humanitarian mission.

When we arrived in the region, the guys and I thought about what benefits we could still bring to the front, and at one of the youth forums of the Popular Front, we saw the production of humanitarian aid on 3D printers and decided to implement this idea in our region as part of the "Everything for Victory!" project of the Popular Front. We purchased ten 3D printers and materials for manufacturing products. We took two educational institutions as our bases. Educational institutions and the Ministry of Education supported our initiative, and today students and cadets are engaged in manufacturing the same shanks, discharges and chargers on a daily basis. By the way, the cost of one charger in an online store varies from a thousand to 1200 rubles, while the cost price of our one is 50 rubles, that is, the difference is decent. This is a very cool opportunity for young people to show their active citizenship and be useful to their country.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, we would like to thank you for supporting the Popular Front's project "Everything for Victory!". We really needed him. Thank you so much for this.

Vladimir Putin: I have to thank you and the guys for whom and with whom you work. I have already said this, this is a national volunteer movement in the broadest sense of the word. Of course, the Popular Front ignites, as they say, organizes and systematizes this work.

By the way, I think that largely because it was the Popular Front that pushed this work forward, it stimulated the whole country, in fact, to this joint, noble activity. We will do our best to support you. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much to all those who work in this direction.

Dima, please.

Dmitry Mitin: Hello, dear Vladimir Vladimirovich!

Just like Valeria, I am responsible for young people in the Murmansk region. From the very beginning of the SVO, we help our soldiers who are on the front line. We regularly collect fees, sew clothes and everything that is necessary, make trench candles and, of course, camouflage nets, help with all requests from fighters who come to us.

As an example here – the 200th brigade. We constantly ship humanitarian goods, for example, necessary equipment, things, and give them to them.

It is important that we do not forget about the families of our peasants who are now on the front line, and, of course, we pay great attention to them, for example, parents or relatives when they need help in everyday life, or it is the family, or in the household – we come, we will definitely help them.

What is important here is that we do not forget about children, because they often need leisure. We organize leisure activities, go to the theater, go to exhibitions, and, of course, are also a support for them.

And such a cool, big story for me, memorable. Before the New Year, we met all over the country with members of the SVO families, brought Christmas trees and gave such a festive New Year's mood. And here, not only children, but also parents were really happy. Therefore, we will continue to work in this direction, we will only go forward.

Vladimir Putin: I can only say that I wish you the same-just go ahead.

Thanks

Sergey Antonov: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief!

As a father of three, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for helping large families. You always pay special attention to this category of citizens. The package of measures adopted in the latest decree will be a great help for the guys who are currently in the zone of a special military operation.

I think it would be appropriate to continue improving the work on helping large families. Perhaps it would be possible to raise such an issue as exemption from property tax not only for one of the family members, but also for their minor children?

Vladimir Putin: This is primarily, of course, the property tax – for an apartment, probably, right?

Sergey Antonov: Yes, the property tax is on housing.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, we now have a rule according to which participants of a special military operation are exempt from this tax, but family members are not, this is true. And, yes, you are right, then it turns out that if, for example, minor children or wives (spouses) are the owners of residential premises, then they must pay, but, in fact, you must pay for them. The property tax is a local tax, not a federal one. But if the state is doing something, it should do it thoroughly. I, Sergey Viktorovich, agree with you. This issue will be resolved.

Sergey Antonov: Thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin: I will instruct the Ministry of Finance and the Government as a whole, and ask our colleagues in the regions to work it out in the near future and decide on it. I think that it will also take a couple of weeks, but we will do it.

Vladimir Davydov: Comrade Supreme Commander!

Guards Junior Sergeant Davydov Vyacheslav Igorevich, mobilized, I am also a student of the St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation.

First of all, I would like to share my opinion that we live in a time of heroes, and I personally managed to make sure of this. People of different age categories: both young guys, even yesterday students, and adult men who are old enough to be their fathers, together, shoulder to shoulder, showing dedication and courage, perform tasks and simply perform worthy deeds. Our country is very rich in such people, and we should all be proud of them.

I also think it is important to consider such an issue as the return of military personnel after the end of hostilities, since the experience of past conflicts shows that soldiers face such a disease as post-traumatic stress disorder, as a result of which they cannot return to normal life, be useful to society and their country. Many people do not know about this disease, they do not know that there is high-quality help from specialists, and some, for some reason, do not want to apply. I think it is important to cover the topic, promote it in every possible way, and explain to people that such help is very important and useful.

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude for your hard work and wish you victory in future elections.

Thanks

Vladimir Putin: Thank you. Thank you for your kind wishes, thank you.

As for psychological assistance, as you know, this is an important area of work for the rehabilitation of all people who participate in combat operations. Look, even a law enforcement officer, after using a service weapon, usually passes or has to pass some kind of interview with a psychologist, and so on. In general, according to international practice, about 50 percent of people who take part in combat operations need such psychological rehabilitation. This is the average value. We have only about 20 percent of military personnel or former military personnel who took part in special military operations, turn to psychologists, and need it-this is world practice-50 percent.

Going to psychologists, I believe, is not some shameful thing, it is not a manifestation of some weakness, it is basically a normal thing. This was also the case during the difficult events in the Caucasus, after Afghanistan and during the Syrian events. There is nothing wrong with working with a specialist or having a specialist work with those who need such support. Yes, but many people do not apply, because they believe that this is a manifestation of some kind of weakness of character, or something else. These are just features of the central nervous system of each person. There is nothing so unusual here, specialists set up, restore a person, and so on. So, you know what, let's consult. After all, you can do how? I am now addressing everyone present, such a subtle thing, you know? Vyacheslav Igorevich, right? Vyacheslav Igorevich understood such a subtle thing, a subtle question. Someone wants, someone does not want, someone is shy, but how can I do it? I now appeal to everyone: you can make it mandatory. A person has returned from a war zone, he is collecting certificates, something else, something else, and let everyone go through work with psychologists. The Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, it seems to me, easily organizes this. Yes, this is a large amount of work, but nothing, but it will not be so that someone feels the need, needs and is shy about something. But no, everyone passes, and that's all.

What do you think, Vyacheslav Igorevich? Or is it redundant?

Vladimir Davydov: I think this is a very good and correct decision, and it will benefit everyone.

Vladimir Putin: Yes.

What do you think, Ivan Nikolaevich?

Igor Ovcharov: Mr President, I don't know, as long as it doesn't affect the future.

Vladimir Putin: You thought they'd sign you up somewhere, didn't you?

I. Ovcharov: You never know.

Each person has their own desire, some may not need it, but the idea is not bad.

Vladimir Putin: But what about it? It's a good idea, but it's better not to, right?

Everyone passes and passes, and no exceptions are made for anyone.

Alexander Malov: Mr President, hospitals in Vishnevsky, in particular, already have this practice. That is, they don't impose it on you, just a psychologist comes and works. Yes, she talks and already understands who needs help and who doesn't.

Help is really needed, just my specific example is that I had this, that is, after being injured, I was very much tormented by nightmares. We talked to the psychologist quite amicably. It wasn't recorded anywhere, nothing.

Vladimir Putin: Our specialists are doing this at a good level.

A. Malov: Yes. And that's it, the problem is gone.

Vladimir Putin: No, the question is: do it for everyone, or do it selectively.

You just happened to be in the hospital, you were injured, and I can see that you were seriously injured. But not everyone gets into the hospital: some get in, some don't. When we say "for everyone", it is also for those who were not admitted to the hospital.

A. Malov: I am in favor of making it easier for everyone.

Vladimir Putin: Good. But all the same, what Ivan Nikolaevich said – there is something here, too, there is something.

What I want to say is that the work of a psychologist and the work of a psychiatrist are different things. After all, a psychologist is a different specialist, he does not treat diseases, he just helps a person recover, that's all. But since there are different points of view here, including yours, let's think about it. I will ask the Defense Ministry and the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation to think about it. But in general, I repeat once again, psychologists do not make diagnoses, they are other specialists, they are not psychiatrists.

But to stop your fear, you need to think about it. We'll think about it. Ok? Agreed.

Please, what else? I ask you to.

Alexander Zhukevich: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief!

The platoon commander of the Guards, Junior Lieutenant Zhukevich Alexey Viktorovich.

I have a question for you of the following nature: why are the Main Directorate of Internal Affairs and the Security Service of Ukraine not equated with terrorist organizations?

Vladimir Putin: First, we have a declaration of terrorist structures of anyone – these decisions are made not by administrative bodies of any level, but by courts. Under Russian law, only a court can recognize an organization as a terrorist organization. This is what happens here.

Indeed, such organizations as "Right Sector", “Aidar", still, I do not know, "Azov", some other organizations that operate on the territory of today's Ukraine are recognized as terrorist. They are such both in their ideology and in the practice of what they do, and this is true.

As for state structures, this should not be a court decision. You know, politics is historical. After all, the entire current Kiev regime is somehow based on crimes that it commits on a daily basis, including against its own citizens. But these are historical and political assessments.

Look: they shot down our IL-76 plane with their servicemen, 65 people. We didn't just take them there. The Main Intelligence Directorate, the Armed Forces of Ukraine knew that we were taking military personnel there, 65 people. And all planned, in my opinion, 190. And, knowing this, they attacked this plane.

I do not know if they did it on purpose or by mistake or thoughtlessness, but it is obvious that they did it. Firstly, because two rockets were launched from the territories controlled by the Kiev regime at 11: 10. The defeat of the aircraft occurred in 2-3 minutes. It was almost impossible to react.

Secondly, it could not have been "friendly fire" under any circumstances, as they say in such cases, because the plane was hit by air defense systems, not by some army MANPADS and so on, but by air defense systems, missiles, this is evident from the elements of destruction. And by definition, our air defense systems cannot strike their own aircraft: there are "friend – foe" systems there, and no matter how much the operator presses the button, our air defense systems would not work. Technic. Yes, and the means of destruction on the spot were withdrawn, they say that these are air defense missiles. Therefore, this means that either they were poorly taught, or they do not learn well on their own, or they are not able to properly manage such systems. Most likely, these are American Patriot systems or European air defense systems, most likely French ones, and an exact answer will be given in a couple of days. But in any case, what happened was either a crime or through carelessness – I have to apply this legal formulation, there is one-or on purpose. But in any case, this is a crime.

They commit such crimes every day, including against civilians. If we talk about state bodies in general, these are still political and historical assessments, not legal ones. But we have this in mind. Everything is under investigation, including the latest incident, the latest crime related to the destruction of the plane.

You understand, don't you? It would seem that they were taking their citizens, their military personnel-no, they were fucked up there. Our only regret is for our pilots, and I offer my sincere condolences to their families. They reported it at the last second.

There are black boxes there, everything will now be collected and shown. I will ask the Investigative Committee to make public as much as possible all the circumstances of this crime, so that people in Ukraine know what really happened. And so, for each fact, the investigative authorities are working and increasing this volume.

Please, please.

Mikhail Torzhinsky: Mikhail Torzhinsky, St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University "LETI".

First of all, Mr President, I would like to thank you for your great work in strengthening Russia's sovereignty. I, in turn, want to assure you that all the tasks of the SVO will be completed. A special military operation is part of the work to strengthen sovereignty. Accordingly, we do one job.

Vladimir Putin: Exactly.

M. Torzhinsky: I would also like to thank the staff and command of the military field hospital (military unit 24 405). I got there in November after being wounded. Very decent conditions have been made for the children: a sauna, showers, a gym, a clothing warehouse, which is important, because the children arrive dirty, ragged, and immediately the next day you can change your clothes. Decent conditions. Very attentive, competent staff, I would like to say a big thank you to them. Mother Russia is strong with her sons and daughters.

Vladimir Putin: Tell me the treble again.

Torzhinsky metro station: VCH 24 405, Luhansk People's Republic. If you learn from it somewhere, it's in this hospital.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you, Mikhail Nikolaevich. We will definitely note the personnel of this military unit.

You are welcome.

Sergey Ivashchenko: Hello, dear Vladimir Vladimirovich!

My name is Sergey Ivashchenko and I represent the Volunteer Resource Center of the Leningrad Region here. As a volunteer myself, I regularly organize blood donations, collect additional supplies for our fighters and directly deliver them to the area of the Free self-defense, often to the combat contact zone.

To a large extent, I began to hear from the fighters that there is a certain problem with the uneven distribution of this popular aid among combat units. Often, the fighters do not even know where this cargo came from or even who to thank for it.

As a positive example, for a year and a half, and many thanks to you, Mr President, the system of patronage of our subjects over municipalities in the new territories has been operating. For example, the Leningrad Region, under the leadership of our governor, is actively helping to restore the agglomeration of the city of Yenakiyevo in the Donetsk People's Republic. Roads, schools, and the housing and utilities system are being restored. Many specialists of the region have already visited this locality directly, and residents of the region are aware of this assistance and the opportunity to help. Thus, the help goes much more efficiently.

Similarly, on the territory of the Leningrad region, the 6th Combined Arms Army is located, its headquarters, where most of the contract soldiers and those mobilized from our region serve. And people, residents of the region, have quite a big request, it is true, to help these divisions.

Unfortunately, there is currently no such publicly available mechanism for personalized assistance. Can you tell me, please, how much it is possible to implement such an initiative? And, perhaps, on the basis of cooperation between the Popular Front, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the regions, create a mechanism for this consolidated personalized assistance. This would greatly help, firstly, to unite the efforts of regional non-profit organizations and volunteers. And, I am sure, it would multiply the support of our fighters from their fellow countrymen, because a huge part of our inevitable victory is a reliable rear.

Thanks

Vladimir Putin: That's right, I understand what you're talking about. I want to thank you for this work, of course, on behalf of the guys who receive your help and support. But for us, by and large, it should be all the same where a person is called from and where he gets something from. For us, everyone should be equal. Really? After all, each of these people fulfills their sacred duty to the Motherland. Who cares if he's from the Leningrad Region or Murmansk, or the Far East, Bashkiria, Tatarstan, or Chechnya? What's the difference?

Nevertheless, such a spiritual impulse of fellow countrymen is understandable. Let's think about how to personalize it. I don't see a big problem here, though. But if you think that there is a problem, then you think that there is a problem with this personalization, and what is it? I don't even really understand.

Sergey Ivashchenko: There is a theory that volunteering in general is always a two – way process. And when a fighter gets help, as we say, from the general story, it loses its meaning a little. And the volunteer, when he doesn't understand who he is helping, also experiences gradual burnout.

Vladimir Putin: It helps a combat hero.

S. Ivashchenko: This is understandable. You are absolutely right in what you say.

Vladimir Putin: To our fighter. You see, we have a fighter. During the Great Patriotic War, they said: a fighter of the Red Army.

Sergey Ivashchenko: All we are saying here is that such a mechanism will help to multiply aid, because often people don't know where to take it. And on the basis of the region, this will be clear.

Vladimir Putin: All right. I'll also think about it, ask the Defense Ministry to think about it.

In my opinion, from the regions, help always came to the units where the fighters came from, and this has always been the case. I don't even really understand the difficulties that arise in this regard. Nevertheless, I will instruct the Ministry of Defense to do this right this evening.

Alexander Beglov: Mr President, may I ask your permission?

Vladimir Putin: Yes, please.

A. Beglov: We have such experience. You are absolutely right, we do not divide fighters into residents of St. Petersburg, the Leningrad region or anyone else, but we always have personalization. And schools are assigned, which write letters, collect other parcels. This is what we always do quietly. Today we have a contract system, and our soldiers leave, we see them off, we know where they serve, we communicate with their commanders.

Let me talk to the governor of the Leningrad Region. I think there are no such problems.

You see, Mr Putin, you are absolutely right to say that, as they say, in the top ten. After all, our residents of St. Petersburg, Bashkiria, and other regions serve together with other regions. You see, all the same, the help that goes from St. Petersburg to this or that part is still distributed among those soldiers, here the platoon commander, the squad leader. As in the army, we served: you received a package from home, your mother sent it to you, but you will not chew breadcrumbs under the blanket, you will still distribute it to your friends and comrades.

I am ready to meet with you, let's talk, but we will set up this work, there are absolutely no problems here. I don't see any problems here, we have such experience. But once again I say: we still do not divide, we send in full, there is a part-completely sent to the part. And who is there, from what regions-it does not matter. A fighter is a fighter, he defends our Homeland. I'm ready to meet you. If possible, Vladimir Vladimirovich.

Vladimir Putin: There is something here, of course, personification is also important, but in general there should be no difference for us. You know, the Internet tank "Alyosha" and so on flew around us. When I met with the guys, I think the commander just told me that when he was not yet a tank driver and just served in the infantry, in motorized infantry, he was sitting in a trench, and the arrival, a friend was sitting next to him, he covered him with himself. I say, " Who is this friend of yours?" "No, I was just there. And I lost him in the hospital, help me find him." I didn't know, so I asked them to find him. I'll come back to that in a moment. Just next to him, a man in a trench was sitting next to him – he took and covered him, just like a combat comrade, not knowing what his name was. What difference does it make to us where a person comes from, from what region he came to the war? Still, we'll think about it, okay?

Yes, please.

З.Kornev: Hello. I am Zakhar E. Kornev, 20 years old, a second-year student of ITMO St. Petersburg State University, Instrument Engineering and Robotics, assistant to the social coordinator of the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, a participant in volunteer programs of the Youth Policy Committee. If I may, I would like to share my story and say a few words about myself.

Born on March 3, 2003 in Donetsk, four streets away from the Donetsk airport. At the age of ten, together with his family, he experienced the terrible events of 2014, saw with his own eyes the horrors and crimes of Ukrainian neo-Nazis.

I remember how the first militia members liberated the airport from the Nazis with their bare hands. It was impossible for every person, it was such a tragedy in every family. I remember how my father almost died when he saved people and put out houses from fires during the Grad attacks. I remember my mother tearfully washing my father's clothes from soot and soot every day, and my younger sister and I prayed incessantly. We were probably the first family to experience all this, and we were the last to leave our native places.

Now my parents are in Donetsk, my father is disabled, my mother works in the mountain rescue department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Sister Diana is a graduate of the Vaganova Ballet Academy.

Vladimir Putin: Here in St. Petersburg?

З.Kornev: Yes, here.

In the period 2020-2022, I studied and was a student at the Donetsk Technical University, former Polytechnic University of the USSR, – electric power engineering and, as a section, instrument engineering.

At the time of my second year in 2022, by order of the head of the DPR, Denis Pushilin, I was conscripted voluntarily into the armed forces of the Donetsk People's Republic – the People's Militia. And, like all students…

Vladimir Putin: Which building?

З.Kornev: To the 105th Regiment, reservists, and then a motorized rifle combat regiment. All the fighters, all the students, all the people of different generations, ages, professions were probably ready for this. And they accepted the fate that they had to accept, including me, at the call of their hearts. And, knowing the actions of my father, my parents, I followed their example, and for me it was a duty to the country, to God, and everyone kept such feelings in themselves. And they were ready to make new victories.

We felt the first battle, a small-arms clash, in the city of Mariupol. The most difficult time, probably, was when for the first time we see the enemy face to face and we need to show all that we have accumulated since childhood in upbringing from our parents, in all our skills and, of course, in combat coordination.

During this period, I was a grenade launcher operator, participated in the first assaults together with the "Somalia" battalion, with units of the Chechen Republic and, of course, with our fellow soldiers. I was wounded by a bullet wound, hospitalized, returned to service a month later, and in the summer of 2021 was sent to the territory of the Luhansk People's Republic to protect the borders. It was closer to Soledar, Artemovsk. Through the fields, plantings, minefields drove the Fascist. It was the most terrible time, because even after the injury. Probably every fighter who experienced some kind of injury and generally difficult events in relation to their comrades who lost, who do not know how to continue to show themselves, but still they remained true to themselves, their team, just like me, and it was impossible to retreat. I also served as a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, ground attack aircraft, conducted combat battles for two weeks, and tried to evacuate many people. It was very scary: you carry a person for three kilometers through the woods, the landings are mined, and they are mined unnoticed, that is, by various enemy technical means.

After we, thank God, all survived, all were saved, of course, there were also shrapnel wounds in many, and something else, but they survived. If a person feels in his heart that he is ready to continue fighting for his comrades, for other families, especially for a country that believes in us, we accept this fate, believe and fight.

Then in the autumn, from September to November, I was transferred again, let's say, to my homeland, but this is a little further from the Donetsk airport, this is the settlement of Peski. I took combat missions as a senior scout in offensive operations in the ranks of the 11th regiment of the People's Militia of the DPR. I also performed tasks on unmanned vehicles, fire correction, evacuation of comrades, offensive actions, and as a grenade launcher operator too, I already specialized in this.

And then, after nine months of both the special military operation and my service, on November 13, 2022, by your decree, all students from the military operation zone were demobilized, for which we are deeply grateful to you. It is a great honor for me, as well as for others present, to be at your meeting. It was your decision that influenced the fate of many comrades, changed the vector of everyone's life. Of course, we will follow your instructions, fight selflessly on the battlefield as well as on the battlefield, and faithfully defend the interests of the state, its sovereignty and integrity. This is our duty.

My great-grandfather, who survived a concentration camp during the Great Patriotic War, then after liberation and Victory erected and perpetuated famous monuments in Donetsk and Zaporozhye. My father, who accepted fate, did not flinch to save other families, the militia, who were the first to not understand how to fight, and he is the only one who understood the adjustment to protect everyone. It was determined and difficult. I'm proud of my father. So are other families who know that during 2014, for the first time in so many years, since the Great Patriotic War, soldiers participated in such military events, knowing that no one will believe us later, or will believe us, but it will be too late.

I know the history of our Fatherland and the history of my family. I had to pull myself together, get in line and pay my debt to my parents, to the families who also protect us, our territories.

We live, we work, we fight, we fight for the sake of those who gave us life, for the sake of those who died for the great Fatherland, for the sake of those who will replace us later, for the sake of the future victories to which you are leading us. And for the faith, the tsar and the Fatherland. I serve Russia! Thanks

Vladimir Putin: Thank you, Zakhar, for such an emotional story and very informative. When you entered the war zone, how old were you?

З.Kornev: 18.

Vladimir Putin: 18? And how many years did you fight?

З.Kornev: Nine months.

Vladimir Putin: You haven't been to Mariupol since?

З.Kornev: No, then no, in the first moments I was, yes.

Vladimir Putin: It is clear that in the first moments there the situation was very difficult and difficult. But the city is gradually recovering, recovering, getting younger, and acquiring new qualities. St. Petersburg has direct relations with Mariupol, right?

Alexander Beglov: Twin Cities, in accordance with your instructions, we signed the Twin Cities Agreement on June 1 last year. And most importantly, we are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the complete liberation of Leningrad from the Nazi blockade. And we launched a tram there, as you were present, Mr Putin, and today the tram is free. And we are already making a second line, launching a tram, because for Leningrad, for St. Petersburg, especially for besieged Leningrad, the tram is a very important moment. And you know, Mr Putin, you were right when we first arrived in Mariupol, just as the fighting ended, of course, you said that the houses should be restored, and that's all. But you said: make a public space so that people can meet somewhere, just to meet. Because it is clear: kindergarten, school, and where to meet? Although it's hard, it's hard. And then, on your instructions, we made a theater square, a park, if you were in Mariupol, you know, near the park theater, and we made a fountain there. And this is a meeting place for today's people, young people, children, and everyone else. And then you were asked to make a firecracker fountain, if you remember. We also made a cracker fountain for the children. Therefore, Mariupol is being restored, it is not recognizable today.

And there are psychological moments, too. Mr Putin, if I may, I will tell you a story that is very instructive. When we put in the first houses, we restored them, but the elevators didn't work there, the first eight did. The kids came – and we made our Leningrad and St. Petersburg elevators, normal, vandal-proof-the kids started riding on these elevators, and the adults started driving them. We then said: yes, let them ride as much as they want. The kids were just interested in going for a ride, which was also great.

Now Mariupol is really unrecognizable, it is really very beautiful, a good city, there are a lot of young people.

Vladimir Putin: Your second place of service is Soledar, and the situation there was very difficult, and it is still not easy.

З.Kornev: Of course, yes.

Vladimir Putin: The enemy is trying to counterattack there from all sides, but nothing is working out. On the contrary, our divisions are moving forward in different directions and gradually entering the channel. You need to know where it is.

З.Kornev: Yes, yes.

Vladimir Putin: In any case, there is traffic in this direction, almost every day slowly, slowly, there is still – I don't know how much, I'm afraid to make a mistake – 800 meters, probably.

З.Kornev: Yes, it's almost there.

Vladimir Putin: In any case, there is movement there. And I think that this will continue there. The units are working very smoothly and confidently both on the southern flank and on the northern flank – there is constant movement from all sides. All counterattacks have been repulsed, and we are moving forward almost every day.

Thank you very much and good luck in civilian life. To you and your family.

З.Kornev: Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Please, please.

Alexander Zhukevich: Mr President, in conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude for providing a unique opportunity for students participating in the special military operation to gather here. All of us, students, made our own conscious choice. We are learning, but I can assure you that the enemy will be defeated and victory will be ours. My comrades on the front line wish victory to you, to our entire country. No one doubts that we are all doing the right thing. History is being made now.

Thank you for everything, Mr Putin.

Vladimir Putin: Now the story of our last speaker here, Zakhar, confirms exactly what you just said, that we are doing everything right. And we are fighting for a fair cause. This is an absolutely obvious thing.

Zakhar said these words: "I am proud of my father." Great! And the whole country is proud of you. I say this without any pathos, so it is. And we all wish each other victory and good luck. I would like to wish you, you are still young people, that this operation ended victoriously and as painlessly as possible. I am sure that you are young people, students, active people who have just graduated, there may be some who are young professionals here, I know that you will certainly find your place in civilian life, 100 percent, I have no doubts.

Moreover, I will set up the entire state mechanism to ensure that people like you get a chance to prove themselves as citizens. I will do this purposefully and with full awareness that people like you, who have passed the crucible of combat trials, are needed by the Fatherland at all times and in the future, because you must form the basis of the Russian state.

Yes, everyone has their own plans, their own ambitions. Some people want to quietly engage in small business somewhere, some want to show themselves in science, some want to work in a company, and some want to work in the civil service. But people who have passed through the crucible of such hard trials, not sparing themselves, not sparing themselves in the name of the Motherland, of course, should form the basis of our state in the medium and more distant historical perspective. This has always been the case in Russia. And we will strive to ensure that this is the case now.

Thank you again. And all the best.

The number of problems expressed are growing fewer, which is why Putin engages in these meetings. The issue of PTSD and that such a small percentage of Russian troops are screened for it could potentially become a problem for Russian society. The “credit holiday” issue is also another problem. Note that Putin said these problems would be resolved within weeks, not many months. I don’t see such answers to be part of electioneering; rather, they are related to the need to finally get such issues resolved after 2 years of SMO and the prior Syrian engagement. Then there’s the lost appendage payment that’s ended when a prosthetic gets applied—I’m surprised this wasn’t brought up earlier during one of Putin’s hospital visits. IMO, there’s no excuse for toll roads or bridges. Those that exist are probably related to the brief Neoliberal privatization period, and for some reason still exist. IMO, Putin is also building a national mindset to prepare Russians for the protracted Big Picture Conflict that will last until NATO dissolves and the Outlaw US Empire gets desperate to retain a meaningful position geopolitically despite its deep economic and social problems.

I see many of Russia’s future leaders having endured the SMO. I see them following Russia’s traditional Conservative-Progressive path as the 21st Century becomes Eurasia’s and the Global Majority’s. The contrast with the Outlaw US Empire’s post-Vietnam experience is stark as government lies and corruption alienated many from performing public service creating a vacuum that was filled by evil sociopathic peoples that still occupy positions of power and threaten planetary peace.

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