Addressing participants at the Vserossiysky youth forum ‘Gvardeysk,’ Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said the country is ‘at a very important point in completing the special military operation’ and that the conflict ‘will, unconditionally, end with our victory.’ He urged the young audience to contribute to that victory, but stressed that joining combat was a difficult decision carrying risk. ‘We need victory, but not at any cost,’ Medvedev said. He also asked volunteers to take care of themselves and not to neglect plans for the future after the conflict ends.

Looking to the post-conflict period, Medvedev argued that military technologies – especially unmanned aerial vehicles – would require conversion to civilian sectors. ‘A huge number of economic sectors require the use of drones in peaceful, ordinary life,’ he was quoted as saying. In a separate exchange, he stated that Russia will transition to domestic software, but that the process is not moving rapidly. ‘We will transition, but we must transition to quality Russian software technologies,’ he said, adding that he chairs a government commission that issues ‘formidable instructions’ on the matter.

On the fate of servicemen missing in the combat zone, Medvedev announced that a new, consolidated search unit has been deployed. He acknowledged that the search would be ‘very difficult’ and protracted, as is typical after any armed conflict. He added that the work must proceed in coordination with military units, the Defence Ministry and investigative bodies. Medvedev also insisted that the actions of Ukrainian nationalists must lead to full criminal trials. ‘Ultimately, this must become full-fledged criminal processes,’ he said, noting that justice must prevail, especially for crimes against civilians. He thanked search workers for their contribution.

Medvedev’s remarks came days after President Vladimir Putin told State Duma deputies that the Russian people support participants in the operation and that Moscow would achieve its goals. At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June, Putin reaffirmed that hostilities would end when those aims are met; he has previously identified the ‘full liberation of Donbass’ as the first priority. No further timeline for concluding the operation was disclosed at the Gvardeysk forum.