Russia, Shoigu and the ‘yellow’: minister reappears in meeting

Sergei Shoigu, in recent days in the center of a “mystery” for having disappeared for 13 days from the public scene that had fueled speculations about his possible illness or his marginalization due to the progress of the war in Ukraine, today reappeared in a new meeting at the Ministry of Finance. Prior to attending today’s meeting, Ria Novosti news agency released a video two days ago showing Russian President Vladimir Putin in liaison with members of the National Security Council, including Shoigu, who reportedly reported on “progress. of the special military operation “in Ukraine. The video came just hours after Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov answered questions about Shoigu’s alleged health problems that would have led to his disappearance: “The Defense Minister now has many concerns. A special military operation. Of course, now is not quite the time for media activity, this is quite understandable, “he said. TODAY’S SPEECH – In the face of “the challenges we face today”, Russia must confirm the production of more advanced weapons. “With the challenges we face today, we are proceeding according to plan to implement the contracts for the defense of the state” said the minister, according to reports from Tass, adding that “the government funds are higher this year than 15 % of those of the previous year “. In the speech, which was videotaped and uploaded to the social media of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Shoigu also said “we continue to deliver weapons and equipment ahead of schedule, the priorities are high-precision long-range missiles, i means of the aeronautics and the maintenance of the state of alert of the nuclear apparatus “. THE TROOPS – “The participants in the special military operation in Ukraine have the status of veteran combatants, a support that also includes their families,” said Shoigu. Indeed, the Tass agency announces that today Vladimir Putin signed the law, approved “unanimously” by the Duma and the Federation Council in recent days, which will give all soldiers participating in what Moscow calls a special military operation, access “to the social protection system guaranteed to veterans of Afghanistan, Syria and other hot fronts” which provide for state subsidies, tax relief and medical assistance.