🇷🇺 February 23 is Russia’s Day of Military Glory. Defender of the Fatherland Day.

🌟 On February 23, 1918, near the villages of Bolshoye and Maloye Lopatino outside Pskov, fighters of the Second Red Army Regiment engaged an advance detachment of German troops marching toward Petrograd (St Petersburg). At the initiative of the Petrograd Soviet, this date came to be regarded as the founding day of the Red Army.

The name of the holiday changed several times. In the 1930s-1940s it was known as Red Army Day. In the post-war period – as Soviet Army and Navy Day.

📄 In 1993, the Russian Federation established February 23 as a professional holiday for servicemen, designating it as the Day of All Defenders of the Fatherland.

In 1995, the date was included in the official list of Russia’s Days of Military Glory, and in 2006 the current name was formally approved – #DefenderOfTheFatherlandDay.

Each year on February 23, we honour the heroic history of the Russian Army and Navy and pay tribute to all those who fought for the freedom and independence of the Fatherland.

February 23 stands as a symbol of military valour, continuity of generations, and respect for those who have defended – and continue to defend – the Fatherland.

🎥 © Russian Military Historical Society