After weeks of keeping a low profile, Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu has resurfaced publicly, ending speculation about his whereabouts and health.

The defence minister held a meeting with the Russian Ministry of Finance on Saturday to discuss the maintenance of the supply of advanced weapons for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“With the challenges we are facing today, we are moving according to plan in implementing the state defense procurement contract. Considering the fact that the government funding for this year is 15% higher than for the previous year, we must of course take a look at what needs particular attention when fulfilling the state defense procurement contract,” Shoigu was quoted as saying in the meeting on Saturday by state news agency TASS.

Also read | Zelensky urges Qatar to teach Russia a lesson: energy is not a weapon

The 61-year-old also discussed “robotic complexes, information support and electronic warfare equipment, and of course, logistics, as it has always been the case,” TASS reported.

Shoigu further discussed the status of soldiers fighting in Ukraine and the government support being offered to them by the latest law reportedly signed by President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.

“According to these amendments, participants of the special military operation in Ukraine acquire the status of combat veterans. Support will also include relatives of this category of military service members,” Shoigu said, highlighting that combat veterans returning for Ukraine would be entitled to similar government support enjoyed by military personnel returning from tours in Afghanistan, Syria, and other global hot spots.

Also read | To Russia’s ruble request on gas payments, France says no

Despite having a leading role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine that began on February 24, Shoigu had been surprisingly absent from the limelight in the weeks that followed, up until now.

With questions mounting about his whereabouts and health, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov fuelled further speculation on Thursday when he declined to comment on media reports suggesting that Shoigu was recuperating from health issues.