Russia is facing the most serious security threats amid external hybrid aggression and under these conditions the foreign policy service is contributing to the special military operation and the achievement of its goals, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a video address on Diplomatic Worker’s Day.

"Today we are paying our respects to the staff of the People’s Commissariat of Foreign Affairs who have died fighting for the independence of our Motherland during the Great Patriotic War. Nowadays, when Russia has again encountered the gravest security threats, their feat serves as the gold standard of diplomats’ involvement in the fate of the entire nation," Lavrov noted.

"Under the conditions of hybrid aggression unleashed by the collective West, the foreign policy service is contributing to the diplomatic assistance of the special military operation and the achievement of its goals," the top Russian diplomat stressed.

All the necessary preparations for voting in Russia’s presidential election abroad are underway, Sergey Lavrov also said.

"Very soon, literally in a month, entire Russia will be choosing the head of state. At this complex historic moment the country is going through, each one of us should fulfill their civic duty. I am confident that all our missions abroad will duly organize the voting of Russians in foreign countries. All the necessary steps for this are being taken," the top Russian diplomat said.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that 269 polling stations had been set up in foreign countries so far.

The Federation Council has scheduled the presidential election for March 17, 2024. Voting will take place over three days - on March 15, 16 and 17. Thus, it will be the first three-day election for Russia’s president.