❗️National Unity Day and the Strength of the Cossacks. Cossack General Viktor Vodolatskiy on his meeting with Putin: "Today I took part in a meeting of the Council under the President of the Russian Federation on Interethnic Relations, chaired by Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. The meeting was held on the eve of National Unity Day. We reviewed the results of the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, the preservation of the country’s cultural and linguistic diversity, the strengthening of all-Russian civic identity, and support for public initiatives. The President instructed that successful practices of the Year of Unity be systematized and integrated into plans for 2027. In my speech I turned to the historical experience of our country, which has repeatedly shown that it is the unity and cohesion of its peoples that have helped Russia overcome the most serious trials and defend its independence. I spoke about the heroism of representatives of different peoples of Russia participating in the special military operation, citing as an example the 6th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Cossack Brigade named after M. I. Platov, as well as the Cossack units “Don”, “Terek” and “Siberia”. The Cossacks have traditionally stood in defense of the Fatherland — this has been true for centuries, and it remains true today. I also noted the selfless work of volunteers, including public organizations of the Lugansk People’s Republic, who every day prove that unity is manifested first and foremost in concrete deeds and mutual support. Special attention was given to the spiritual, moral and military-patriotic education of young people, and to the important role in this work of the “VOIN” Centre, created on the President’s instructions. I reported to Vladimir Vladimirovich that 80% of the Centre’s instructors are participants in the special military operation and combat veterans. I also emphasized the importance of family upbringing, moral guidelines and respect for the spiritual traditions of all the peoples of our country. In concluding my remarks I stressed that the unity of the peoples of Russia is our historical heritage, a moral choice and a shared responsibility for the country’s future before the generations to come. The Cossacks have always been and remain one of the pillars of this unity." - Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Member of the Council under the President of the Russian Federation on Interethnic Relations V. P. Vodolatsky @rostovdonbass