Russian President Vladimir Putin recently spoke at an event commemorating Russia's intelligence services. A former intel officer himself, Putin congratulated the officers and emphasized their role in national security by telling them that they are "strong, determined people, real professionals who reliably protect the sovereignty and national interests of Russia, the lives of our citizens while ready to perform the most complex and dangerous jobs." He further confirmed that Russia may be in for a long haul in Syria by alluding to worsening global geopolitics: "There are growing tensions in the Middle East, the terrorists have openly declared war on civilization and the entire international community. Their actions and plans are a direct threat to our country. Currently, our armed forces are fighting with the bandits on the front lines in order to destroy their infrastructure and bases in Syria. These decisive steps should be linked and coordinated with the hard work of all our security and intelligence services." Putin then stated that his military mission in Syria is tied to Russia's domestic security: "It's all about identifying terrorists' plans, and suppressing the attempts of terrorist and extremist groups to intensify their subversive activities in Russia."
Putin further celebrated FSB officers by highlighting their successes: "This year, thanks to your efforts, we managed to prevent more than 30 terrorist attempts. Particular attention should be paid to the neutralization of all sorts of terrorist recruitment that is trying to involve Russian citizens ... of course, you first need to pay attention to young people in our country."
The Russian president went on to take a swipe at Western attempts to gather intel in Russia: "A lot of responsibility falls on the shoulders of our counterintelligence -- this year, they have identified more than 320 employees and agents of foreign intelligence services and their accomplices. We now see that a number of countries are ramping up, as we say, ‘work in Russia.' I am confident that our intelligence services are ready to give this challenge an adequate response."
Putin likewise complimented regular armed forces, and specifically his air force, which is now conducting airstrikes in Syria against ISIS, though not without controversy: "Our pilots and intel services are effectively operating there, they are all coordinating their efforts with each other -- the army, navy, and air force. We are now using our most modern weapons. I note that this is not all we can do -- we are far from using all we have in our arsenal, we have additional means and if needed, we will use them."
Separately, Putin congratulated the Foreign Intelligence Service, which recently celebrated its 95th anniversary: "It is important to quickly identify external threats to Russia's security, to provide a comprehensive analytical information, timely reports on the progress and the likelihood of regional conflict. I am sure you will make every effort to achieve your objectives and will protect Russia and our people. And no matter what difficulties and trials may stand in our way -- we have no doubt we will overcome, we will go forward with confidence and success."
Meanwhile, following this year's mixed results in attempting to fight back pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country, Ukrainian military forces are undergoing a shake-up and reorganization. As reported to Ukrainian-daily Obozrevatel.ua by Lieutenant-General Alexander Skipalsky, the former deputy head of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and chairman of the Union of Officers of Ukraine, the recent resignation of Anatoly Pushnyakov, Commander of the Ukrainian Land Forces, as well as a number of others from the Land Forces Command, could mean punishment for "serious failure."
Skipalsky speculated that "If only Pushnyakov was offered to resign, it could mean the individual claims against him related to events in Svatovo six months ago were true. But there is information that an entire group of senior officers were fired. This is an alarming symptom that may indicate a serious failure, and that the country's Armed Forces have serious problems." For Skipalsky, the "big question" was the dismissal of Ivan Chubenko, chief of staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, "who has done a lot in order to make our military more and more patriotic."
The retired general further elaborated on what has to happen in order for the Ukrainian military to become better able to deal with internal issues and difficulties posed by pro-Russia separatists and the new challenges of fighting hybrid warfare: "The dismissal of the commander of the Land Forces Pushnyakov will not solve the problem -- it's only half a percent of what needs to be done in the Ministry of Defense." In his opinion, "it is necessary to change the whole system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, to introduce a new doctrine. Formally, we have adopted a military doctrine, but in reality it does not meet the requirements of the current war. It is necessary to restore order in the army, especially in matters of security and acquisition of military technology. We must also do everything to implement the spirit of patriotism in the our military."
