Motherland Defenders' Day is celebrated in Russia

23.02.2011 Today Russia celebrates Motherland Defenders' Day. February 23 was officially declared the Day of People's Red Army and Navy in 1922, and later was celebrated in the USSR as the Soviet Army and Navy Day. Presently, in Russia this day acquired the status of a date of military glory in accordance with the federal law and is a day-off since 2002. Informally, Russians celebrate Feb 23 as an all-men day.

Today Russians pour in tributes to military servicemen, veterans, and all families of those who were and are in the service. Motherland defenders have always had a hard lot; even now Russian military men serve around-the-clock. Armed Forces is a core element of Russian nationhood and a guarantee of stability in the country.

Expecting the festive date, volunteers from Moscow youth organizations put in order military memorials and commemorative monuments in the Russian capital, and along with WW2 veterans made a tour around battle sites of Moscow region.

Dozens of festive events were held today in Moscow during the Motherland Defenders' Day. Traditionally, in the morning Russian leaders and MPs laid wreaths to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near Kremlin's wall. Russian military officials, representatives of veteran and other public organizations took part in wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to Georgy Zhukov and other sites. Numerous meetings and veteran honoring also took place. Special program was also provided for servicemen who are under treatment in Moscow clinics.

As was reported by press service of Western Military District, residents of St. Petersburg witnessed a solemn military ritual. Over 2,500 officers, trainees and cadets of 15 military academies accompanied by military bands paraded along the streets in different districts of St. Petersburg. Servicemen sang marching songs during the parade.

Solemn corteges, parades, concerts, and pageantries were held on Feb 23 in many Russian cities. Military units celebrated this day with solemn dress parades. In the evening, thousands of salute guns in Moscow and other administrative centers will fire 30 shots in remembrance of died defenders of the country and in honor of living ones. In Moscow the fireworks will be carried out by 72 salute mounts and 18 artillery guns, reports ITAR-TASS.