Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
At the Russian Government, the co-chairs of the Russian Union of Martial Arts (RUMA)—Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev (7th Dan Kyokushinkai) and First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Kiriyenko (6th Dan Aikido Aikikai)—held a reporting and election conference of the RUMA. Representatives of RUMA member federations participated in the conference.
The Russian Union of Martial Arts has been in existence for 20 years. It's been a long journey. During this time, we've trained over 17,000 Masters of Sport, nearly 2,000 International Masters of Sport, and over 500 Honored Masters of Sport of Russia. Of these, over 500 are European Champions and nearly 400 are World Champions. I'd like to thank the coaching staff for their dedicated work. We are the strongest in the world: we've hosted the World Combat Games twice, winning both. I'd like to point out that the RUMA's goal was not only to develop our students athletically, but also to foster their spirit, patriotism, and moral values. We've succeeded, I'd say. A joint RUMA detachment is operating in the special military operation zone. The guys are effectively carrying out combat missions, setting a personal example of how to love and defend the Motherland. Today, we'll also discuss recruiting new volunteers to join the detachment. "I am confident that in today's situation, amidst a special military operation, the Russian Union of Sportsmen and Women (RSBI) must not only stand with the country, but also provide every possible assistance, support, and strengthen both athletic and military unity," Yuri Trutnev opened the conference.
"It's hard to overestimate the importance of a coach, a mentor. Someone who passes on the mastery of their martial art to the younger generation, but most importantly, the mastery of life: the ability to overcome difficulties, to fight for oneself, because for any martial artist, the most difficult and challenging opponent is always their own weaknesses, their own fears. Russia is currently at war. The task of the Russian Union of Martial Arts and every mentor is to educate the younger generation. It's no coincidence that 20 years ago, the Russian Union of Martial Arts was created by direct order of Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, who himself knows well how much a true mentor, a true coach, a true master contributes to the development of a young person, a teenager, who shapes their character, and therefore, their life," noted Sergei Kiriyenko.
One of the main topics of discussion was a summary of the RBSI's activities over the past five years. It was noted that the Russian Union of Martial Arts was founded in June 2005 to promote martial arts as a mass sport with significant social significance. Today, the RBSI unites 75 all-Russian sports federations and organizations representing various styles and trends of martial arts and combat sports. The RBSI has branches in 86 regions of Russia, from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok. Branches in three regions are still in the process of being established. In total, over 5 million people in Russia practice martial arts and combat sports.
Every year, the Russian Union of Business and Information Institutions (RSBI) hosts over 1,500 events at the national and regional levels, and is the initiator and founder of a number of major projects. Festivals are held in virtually every region of the country.
One of the largest projects of the Russian Union of Sports and Informers (RSBI) is the All-Russian Sports and Patriotic Campaign "Victory Relay." Traditionally, races, flower-laying ceremonies at the Eternal Flame memorials, sports festivals, and competitions are held across the country. The project grows in scale each year, with over 160 events held annually in 86 regions of Russia. This year, the year of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, approximately 90,000 people participated.
Under the auspices of the Russian Union of Youth Martial Arts (RSBI), the All-Russian Youth Martial Arts Games are held annually in Anapa, one of the largest youth sporting events in Russia. Approximately 5,000 young athletes aged 12 to 18 participate in the competition. The competition, held on the Black Sea coast, features over 20 martial arts and combat sports. This year, the competition, held for the 17th time in 22 sports, attracted 5,000 participants from 77 regions.
The "Battle of Champions" has become a unique event in the world of martial arts, where fighters compete to determine whose style or form of martial art is superior and more effective. The project has two tracks: "Team Russia vs. Team World" and "School vs. School." Over the years, six "Team Russia vs. Team World" and eight "School vs. School" projects have been held.
Another significant event is the ceremony presenting the national martial arts award, the "Golden Belt." This award is the result of a review of the achievements of Russian athletes and their mentors. For each of them, the "Golden Belt" award is a tribute to their willpower, skill, perseverance, and determination. Since 2005, only 169 people have been awarded the award. Last year, the award was presented to martial artists who not only distinguished themselves in the sports arena but also defended their homeland in the SVO zone. Awards were presented to seven SVO participants.
Conference participants emphasized the contribution of RSBI members to supporting the special military operation. Since the beginning of the Special Military Operation, representatives of martial arts federations and regional branches have united to assist and support our military personnel and residents of the new regions. Each year, RSBI representatives, together with their partners across the country, deliver over 200 tons of humanitarian aid.
At the end of 2022, the Russian Union of Military Engineers (RSBI) formed the "Soyuz" detachment to participate in the Special Military Operations (SMO). The detachment included 100 athletes representing various martial arts and combat sports, including world and European champions. The fighters received training from experienced specialists and then began performing combat missions as part of the "Kaskad" Special Military Forces. They demonstrated by personal example that they are ready to defend their homeland and the honor of their country, not only in the sports arena. They are true patriots of their country, people of whom our country can be proud. These young men continue to defend our country's interests on the front lines. Currently, the "Soyuz" detachment has been reformed and continues to perform combat missions in the SMO zone as part of the Special Military Forces Center of the FSB of Russia.
"Amid the pandemic and international sanctions against Russian athletes and the SVO, the RSBI member federations and regional branches have adapted their activities to the new reality, not only maintaining key areas of work but also strengthening the position of martial arts in Russia. The RSBI continues its social and patriotic activities and actively participates in key government initiatives, including support for SVO participants," emphasized RSBI Executive Director Ramil Gabbasov.
To foster active citizenship in the younger generation, branches and federations regularly hold courage lessons for the younger generation. As part of major sporting events held throughout 2024, participants were offered a comprehensive sports and patriotic program under the auspices of the Russian Union of Sportsmen. This included areas for assembling and disassembling mock automatic weapons, weaving camouflage nets, and training courses on drone piloting. Over 8,000 people participated in these events across the country.
Since 2024, a volunteer public patrol, "Soyuz," has been organized in Shakhty, Rostov Oblast, at the initiative of the Rostov branch. It includes athletes from various clubs and representatives of all-Russian organizations. The patrol members conduct weekly raids, and tactical medicine courses have been organized for all patrol members. That same year, the Search Movement initiative group, in conjunction with the Russian Union of Social Informed People, created a structural subdivision—the "Soyuz Poisk" search and rescue unit association.
At the direction of the President of Russia, the Russian Union of Military and Sports Instructors (RSBI) established the "Voin" Center for Military-Sports Training and Patriotic Education of Youth. The center was created with the goal of raising a generation of patriots and defenders of Russia. Experienced instructors train young people aged 14–35, including schoolchildren and students, in eight military-applied disciplines. The teaching staff at the regional branches consists of professional instructors. To date, branches of the "Voin" center have opened in 21 regions, and over 100,000 cadets have already completed their training. The Russian Combat Sniping Federation has also been registered in 58 regions through the RSBI branches.
"Voin branches are already operating in 21 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, including new territories. The President has instructed us to increase the number of branches. Training is provided in nine areas, including a new one – sniping. Over the past two years, 108,000 cadets have completed the center. The training is carried out by instructors who have completed combat training. I believe that Voin can and should become one of the foundations for the development of patriotic education in Russia. I ask all branch directors, in conjunction with the RSBI Executive Committee, to organize work on sports training and hand-to-hand combat instruction," Yuri Trutnev instructed the assembled group.
"Hundreds of thousands of boys and girls undergo training every year, including tactical medicine, drone piloting, firearms training, self-defense, and hand-to-hand combat. Classes are led by instructors, each of whom has served in combat zones. These mentors, who are professionals in their field, have a special moral right to participate in the upbringing of the younger generation. They don't just talk; they show by their own example what it means to serve the Motherland. This, in my opinion, is one of the most important projects of the Russian Union of Martial Arts today," says Sergei Kiriyenko.
The RUBI's participation in international events was discussed. "The instability of global politics and the desire of some countries to harm Russia at any cost are also impacting the RUBI's work. We face obstacles in participating in competitions, and in some cases, hostility and bias. I believe it is necessary to strengthen cooperation with other countries, develop and improve joint formats, ensuring that we become stronger together, and that Russia becomes stronger," remarked Yuri Trutnev.
By unanimous decision of the conference participants, in accordance with the RUMA Charter, the following were re-elected for a new five-year term: co-chairs (S.V. Kiriyenko and Yu.P. Trutnev), the presidium of the supreme council (S.V. Kiriyenko, Yu.P. Trutnev, A.B. Shturmin, G.N. Muzrukov, R.G. Gabbasov), members of the supreme council, the executive secretary (G.N. Muzrukov), the auditor (S.N. Ryabukhin), and the executive director of the Russian Union of Martial Arts (R.G. Gabbasov). The supreme council consists of approximately 100 members.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.