MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked the personnel of the Russian emergencies ministry (EMERCOM) for their effort to ensure safety of residents in the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (DPR and LPR), as well as in the Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions.

"I want to especially thank the firefighters, rescuers, and EOD [Explosive Ordnance Disposal] specialists who in difficult conditions are doing a lot to ensure the safety of the people of the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, and the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. We must continue to resolve all the issues arising there without delay," the Russian president said on Wednesday in a video address on the occasion of the Rescue Worker’s Day.

The president emphasized that the ministry’s role in ensuring comprehensive security of Russia and its citizens is growing from year to year.

"It is important to maintain all the positive trends achieved by the service in recent times, to respond even more effectively to emergencies of any level," Putin continued. "One of the key goals is to improve the work of EMERCOM units in the new constituent entities of the Russian Federation."

Among other priorities, the president named the development of the country’s civil defense system, "which includes equipping EMERCOM with modern technology and equipment and introducing digital technologies."

"And of course, your constant attention should be focused on the prevention and extinguishing of forest fires, ensuring the safety of schools, universities, hospitals, other social institutions, as well as places of mass public attendance," Putin added.