February 23 marks Defender of the Fatherland Day in Russia

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. — Alexander Dugin [2-23-2025]