Russian Navy

Protesters in Moscow called to save armed forces from Serdiukov

02/24/2011

Text: Echo Moskvy
Illustration: International Union of Airborne Troopers.

Military servicemen met together at Poklonnaya Gora square in Moscow on Feb 23. The protest action was initiated by the Union of Russian Airborne Troopers. Participants of the meeting called to save Russian Armed Forces from the minister Anatoly Serdiukov.

Instead of celebrating the Motherland Defenders' Day, servicemen have to protect their rights and struggle for survival of Russian Armed Forces. Such words were said from a jackleg platform mounted opposite the Museum of Great Patriotic War. Protesters inveighed against the course of military reforms. According to participants of the meeting, policy of defense ministry headed by Anatoly Serdiukov has virtually resulted in collapse of the armed forces and their non-effectiveness. As a result, today's Russian army is not capable to perform assigned combat tasks any more, said Pavel Popovskikh, the Chairman, Union of Russian Airborne Troopers.

Besides, servicemen are dissatisfied of staff reductions in the military. As for them, many officers were turned out of doors without appropriate conversion training. Participants of the meeting were extremely irritated with the fact that most of their requests and appeals to high military and government officials were unproductive. As explained by protesters, that was just what made them meet together and clamor against the policy of defense ministry. Eventually, several hundreds of people took part in the action. Flags of various military branches and organizations waved over the crowds; people sang songs about service in Airborne Troops. Among speeches on the future of armed forces, one could hear words of sedition. Some of participants disappointedly said the situation in the army and in Russian society could be only changed by radical actions.

Protesters also mentioned intelligence officer Col. Vladimir Kvachkov who is in prison on the charge of attempted arrange of revolt. Participants of the meeting at Poklonnaya Gora demanded to release Kvachkov calling him a symbol of people's army.

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