Nikolai Patrushev visited Kaspiysk and Astrakhan

Nikolai Patrushev inspected the ability of the Caspian Flotilla to protect Russia's national interests in the Caspian region, highlighting the provision of modern weapons and the introduction of cutting-edge scientific and technical solutions in new types of weapons and equipment.

He met with Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Alexander Moiseyev and Commander of the Caspian Flotilla Oleg Zverev to discuss the tasks set for the Navy in ensuring reliable peace and stability in the region and further strengthening Russia's economic and geopolitical standing in the Caspian region, as well as the development prospects of the Caspian Flotilla and the shipbuilding enterprises working for the Russian Navy.

Nikolai Patrushev also visited the base of the FSB Coast Guard Directorate for the Republic of Daghestan. He inspected the combat duty system, the base's patrol vessels and equipment, as well as the training of coast guard personnel to effectively meet the tasks of protecting and defending the maritime state border of the Russian Federation.

The Chair of the Maritime Board and Head of the Coast Guard Directorate Andrei Karpenko discussed improving the forms and methods of using coast guard forces and equipment, ensuring the country's security in the maritime border area, as well as the Directorate's achievements in the preservation and use of aquatic bioresources of the Caspian Sea.

While in Kaspiysk, Nikolai Patrushev laid a wreath at the memorial to the victims of the November 1996 terrorist attack.

A working meeting with Head of the Republic of Daghestan Sergei Melikov focused on modernising infrastructure of the Makhachkala Commercial Port, increasing maritime cargo and passenger transportation, and the use of the North-South international transport corridor.

While in Astrakhan, Nikolai Patrushev visited shipbuilding and ship repair enterprises. He met with their heads and representatives of federal and regional authorities to discuss additional measures aimed at promoting shipbuilding capacities in the region. Mr Patrushev and Astrakhan Region Governor Igor Babushkin talked about the operations of the Volga-Caspian Maritime Shipping Canal and the modernisation of port infrastructure in the Astrakhan Region.