Russian President Vladmir Putin has thanked servicemen and law-enforcement officers who helped prevent a civil war in the country. Their meeting took place in the Kremlin’s Cathedral Square.
The participants numbering more than 2,500 people included representatives of the Interior Ministry, Special Rapid Deployment Force, Special Task Force, etc.
“In a dramatic situation you acted clearly and coherently, proved your loyalty to the people of Russia and the military oath and displayed responsibility for the fate of the Motherland and its future," Putin said.
Units of the Defense Ministry, the Russian national guard Rosgvardiya, and officers of the Interior Ministry and special services "ensured the reliable operation of the most important control centers, strategic facilities, including defense facilities, the security of border regions, the strength of the rear of the armed forces and all combat units, which continued to fight heroically at the frontline,” he said.
"We did not have to relocate combat units from the special operation zone," Putin said.
He said that pilots had been killed in the line of duty during the confrontation with the mutineers. The participants observed a minute of silence to honor their memory.
Earlier, the president noted the consolidation of the Russian society and thanked the country’s citizens for the unity and patriotism they displayed during the recent mutiny attempt. *i*ie
