Over two thousand FSB members received state awards last year, including four Heroes of the Russian Federation. Fallen comrades were remembered with a moment of silence.

President Putin stressed that Russia faces a challenging international environment, with hostile forces unable to defeat the country on the battlefield and resorting instead to terrorism, sabotage, and cyberattacks. He highlighted recent attacks on infrastructure, attempts on officials, and threats to strategic energy projects like “Turkish Stream” and “Blue Stream” as evidence of adversaries’ desperation. He underscored the FSB’s mission to detect and neutralize these threats swiftly, protecting the nation from external provocations.

Key priorities include strengthening border security, enhancing counterintelligence, safeguarding classified military and technological developments, combating extremism, Russophobia, and foreign interference, ensuring secure and legitimate elections, and defending economic and cyber infrastructure. Putin called for proactive, preventive measures, full coordination with military and law enforcement agencies, and the highest operational standards.

The president framed the FSB as the guardian of Russia’s unity, stability, and national honor, emphasizing that patriotism and collective responsibility have always united the Russian people. He expressed confidence that the service will continue to defend the homeland, preserve national achievements, and achieve significant results in the year ahead, ensuring that Russia remains secure, strong, and sovereign in the face of all threats.