February 23rd is Defender of the Fatherland Day in Russia
by Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Security Council of Russia [2-23-2025 published].
February 23 is a special date. It’s a symbol of remembrance, glory, and pride in our Fatherland; it’s a symbol of our complete assurance of Victory.
This holiday has a special significance this year, which is designated as the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland in Russia.
Our people will always remember the heroes that lived before them, cherish their traditions, and look up to them as role models.
“We shall always serve Russia faithfully and loyally and, in so doing, shall embarrass our enemies!” These words of great military commander Alexander Suvorov resonate with each one of us to this day.
Our people had to master the difficult “art of victory” in the face of incredibly tough challenges. These challenges keep coming, and our shared duty today is to refrain from lofty rhetoric, and, unhindered by any threats, as we are fighting the most dangerous enemies, spare no effort for the good of the Fatherland.
Tomorrow is going to be three years since the special military operation began. We were forced to take this step after we reached the point of no return in our standoff with the so-called collective West. There was only one way to defend our Fatherland and its citizens and repel the enemy from our borders. Time has shown that that difficult decision was the only possible and correct one. The Russian people have come together and prevailed in their struggle against a cruel and cynical enemy, which kept getting pumped with weapons and money from all over the world. The war on neo-Nazism and its acolytes is not finished yet. But the end is very near. The enemy will be destroyed. Truth will triumph.
Eighty years ago, our country defeated Fascism, and its repulsive offspring will not be spared a payback, which will come on the battlefield, not at a new Nuremberg. It will be quicker and fairer this way. More ruthless and reliable. Our enemies know this better than anybody else, as horror and panic are spreading through their ranks. Consumed by their impotent malice and agony, they are capable of anything. We shall not allow a global Apocalypse. We must make a fascist comeback impossible on this planet, as we wipe out its roots with a red-hot iron. We must preserve historical memory and leave a worthy legacy to new generations on planet Earth.
But most importantly, we must protect our vast Fatherland and do everything we can to help it flourish—in the name of our children and grandchildren. In the name of the great future of Russia!
February 23 marks Defender of the Fatherland Day in Russia
by Alexander Dugin [2-23-2025 published].
On this day in 1918, near the villages of Bolshoe Lopatino and Maloe Lopatino not far from the city of Pskov, fighters of the 2nd Red Army Corps engaged advancing German troops moving toward Petrograd (now Saint Petersburg).
Thus, at the initiative of the Petrograd Council, February 23 was declared Red Army Day.
This day was celebrated annually across the USSR by the entire nation, yet there was no official document at the time establishing the status of February 23.
Over time, the name of the holiday changed. In the years following the Great Patriotic War, it was known as the Soviet Army and Navy Day.
In 1993, a decree establishing Defender of the Fatherland Day was adopted — for the very first time, the professional holiday for the military was officially formalised and February 23 became a state holiday.
On this day, following a time-honoured practice, people pay tribute to veterans, lay flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers and participate in commemorative ceremonies. Additionally, a tradition was established to perform solemn artillery salutes on February 23.
Greetings on Defender of the Fatherland Day
by President Putin [2-23-2025 published].
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Comrades and friends, veterans, active military and civilian personnel of the Armed Forces, and everyone who has gone through severe trials on the battlefield, please accept my most heartfelt greetings on Defender of the Fatherland Day.
On this day, deep respect and the warmest words go to our soldiers and officers participating in the special military operation, who are risking their lives today, valiantly and courageously defending their native land, the national interests and the future of Russia. It is you who are the main heroes of Defender of the Fatherland Day, which our entire country is celebrating today.
This holiday embodies all the love and respect that our nation has for our army and navy, for people who have made military service their profession and their high calling, for everyone who has made their choice today to stand by the Motherland and defend its interests. Military service has always been highly regarded in Russia; it has always been a matter of honour. Our own history fosters our patriotic feelings that are passed on from generation to generation.
We are guided by the centuries-old victorious traditions of the Russian army; we look up to the valour, faith and courage of our ancestors who fought on the ice of Lake Peipus and on Kulikovo Field, who defended Moscow in the 16th century and safeguarded our statehood during the Time of Troubles; who triumphed at Poltava, covered themselves in glory in the Battle of Borodino, defended Sevastopol during the Crimean War, showed unparallelled courage in the Battle of Galicia and other WWI battles, and who performed a truly heroic deed during WWII by defeating Nazism and storming Berlin, and celebrated the Victory there in May 1945.
This year, which marks the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, has been declared the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland in Russia. We pay tribute to the unwavering and undaunted generation of victors, to the memory of their heroism and sacrifice, and the epoch-making Victory that they gave to the world. We celebrate the heroes who honourably continue the military labours of their ancestors on the battlefield today.
We realise how hard it is for you right now, and we proudly support you. I want to thank all participants in the special military operation for their strong spirit and determination to bring us victory. I am grateful to all defenders of Russia for their honest and impeccable service to the Motherland and to our nation.
Comrades,
Today, as the world is changing impetuously, our strategic course for strengthening and developing the Armed Forces remains unchanged. We will continue to build up the combat potential of the army and navy, and their combat effectiveness as the essential part of Russia’s security that guarantees its sovereign present and future, and its consistent development.
Our absolute priority today is supplying the troops fighting in the special military operation with the provisions and equipment they need. Based on the analysis of the tactical use of the weapons and equipment, we will continue to provide the Armed Forces with new state-of-the-art models. Our focus will also be on improving the social security of our military personnel.
I am confident that Russian fighters will continue to protect their home country and their people diligently.
My best wishes go to your families and loved ones who are waiting for you to return home.
Happy Defender of the Fatherland Day! I wish you success in service for the benefit of our great nation.