Paratroopers' Day

Airborne Forces Day also known as Paratroopers' Day (Russian: День Воздушно-десантных войск) is a professional military holiday in Russia and other countries, celebrated on 2 August annually.[1] It is the official holiday of the former Soviet Airborne forces.

Paratroopers' Day
Also calledAirborne Forces Day
Observed by Belarus
 Kazakhstan
 Russia
TypeState
SignificanceProfessional working day
CelebrationsMilitary ceremonies and events
Date2 August
Next time2 August 2021 (2021-08-02)
Frequencyannual

History

The birthday of the Airborne Forces is considered to be 2 August 1930. On this day at military exercises of the Moscow Military District, a 12 member paratrooper unit was parachuted for performing a tactical task.[2] Airborne Forces Day is currently celebrated on 2 August, on the basis of the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated May 31, 2006 “On the Establishment of Professional Holidays and Memorable Days in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation".[3]

Until 2017 paratrooper's day in Ukraine was celebrated on 2 August.[4] Since 2017 the day is celebrated on November 21 which is the day of the patron of the paratroopers, Archangel Michael.[5][4] According to President Petro Poroshenko this move was "Ukrainianization of the historical and political calendar - to replace the Soviet-Russian imposed on us."[5]

Celebrations

Airborne Forces Day, which is a professional holiday for active and reserve airborne troops, is traditionally celebrated throughout Russia, Belarus and other Commonwealth of Independent States countries.[6][7][8] During the holiday, many cities traditionally held demonstrations of paratroopers, concerts, charity events, festivals, crafts fairs and souvenirs exhibition and sale. In some Russian cities, it is customary to turn off the fountains on the day of the Airborne Forces and to release all employees responsible for their work on a day off. This is done in order to reduce the damage from the celebration.[9]

Common meeting places

Troops of the VDV during the 90th anniversary parade in Moscow.

See also

References

  1. Sidorova, Irina (2017-08-02). "On this day: Russia celebrates Airborne Forces Day". www.rbth.com. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  2. История первого воздушного десанта в СССР на «www.vrn-histpage.ru»
  3. Официальный интернет-портал правовой информации: Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 31 мая 2006 года № 549 «Об установлении профессиональных праздников и памятных дней в Вооружённых Силах Российской Федерации» (В редакции Указа Президента Российской Федерации от 26.02.2015 г. № 103)
  4. (in Ukrainian) Khreshchatyk and Monster dungeons from Maidan. What is hidden under the fountains of Kyiv, Ukrayinska Pravda (14 August 2020)
  5. (in Ukrainian) Instead of airborne troops in Ukraine there will be Airborne Assault Troops, BBC Ukrainian (21 November 2017)
  6. "Сегодня в России отмечается День Воздушно-десантных войск. Праздничные мероприятия, посвященные Дню ВДВ, пройдут по всей стране". Российская газета. 2006-08-02. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  7. Десантники и кавказцы не поделили Канавино // KP.RU — Нижний Новгород
  8. Про День аеромобільних військ| від 02.08.1999 № 937/99
  9. Власти Кемерова не дают десантникам искупаться в фонтане
  10. Litovkin, Nikolai (2016-08-04). "Surviving Paratrooper Day in Russia – the dos and the don'ts". www.rbth.com. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  11. "В День ВДВ на Крестовском острове Санкт-Петербурга высадится десант" (in Russian). Regnum. 2007-08-02. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
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