President Vladimir Putin on Friday praised Russian educators for their role in shaping citizens and soldiers who have demonstrated excellence in national service and various other fields.
Speaking at the new Sirius Concert Hall, Putin presented state awards to teachers and mentors of participants involved in the special military operation.
The president commended the recipients, noting that many of their former students, now serving as Russian Army officers, had successfully passed the ultimate test of loyalty to their motherland.
“The strength of Russia lies in its distinctive and sovereign education system,” Putin said as he honored Oleg Plesovskikh, a history teacher; Svetlana Stepanova, a retired educator; and Tatyana Timkina, a veterans’ organization staff member.
Other honorees included Vyacheslav Ivanov, Director of Bastion Sports School in Vladivostok; Svetlana Magera, a language and literature teacher from Pskov; and Zoya Nikitina from the Tikhvin district of the Leningrad region.
According to Putin, many of their mentees deployed in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine have shown exceptional courage in defending Russia’s interests, freedom, statehood, and sovereignty.
He expressed pride in the “heroes” for achieving decisive victories in battle as well as remarkable success in art, science, and sports.
Putin emphasized that teachers’ dedication to their profession, people, and community has consistently guided Russia’s progress through history, serving as a moral compass for generations.
He concluded by congratulating educators on the October 5th Teachers’ Day celebration, urging them to uphold the traditions of Russian pedagogy and preserve the nation’s cultural identity and global stature.