Paratroopers' Day

Last updated
Airborne Forces Day
Airborne Troops Day 2013 (509-1).jpg
A demonstration at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy
Also calledParatroopers' Day
Observed byFlag of Belarus.svg Belarus
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Kazakhstan
Flag of Russia.svg Russia
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union (historically)
Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine (1999–2017)
TypeState
SignificanceProfessional working day
CelebrationsMilitary ceremonies and events
Date2 August
Next time2 August 2026 (2026-08-02)
Frequencyannual

Airborne Forces Day [a] also known as Paratroopers' Day [b] is a professional military holiday observed in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, celebrated on 2 August annually. [1] It was formerly celebrated in the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991. It was celebrated in Ukraine as Airmobile Forces Day [c] from 1999 until 2017. It is the official holiday of the former Soviet Airborne Forces and the modern Russian Airborne Forces.

Contents

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]

In Ukraine, from 1999 to 2017 Airmobile Forces Day day was celebrated on 2 August. [4] From 2017 Ukraine’s Airmobile Forces were renamed Air Assault Forces, their traditions revised, and a new Air Assault Forces Day  [ uk ] declared 21 November, 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 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. VDV Day 90th anniversary 01.jpg
Troops of the VDV during the 90th anniversary parade in Moscow.

Controversies

Prominent tradition involves paratroopers swimming in public fountains, a practice that has led some cities to drain fountains to prevent drownings and property damage. [12] Excessive public drinking often accompanies these celebrations, contributing to rowdy behavior and brawls, sometimes involving violence against civilians or clashes with police, as seen in incidents like the 2017 Moscow brawl during an NTV live broadcast. [13] [14] [15]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Russian: День Воздушно-десантных войск, romanized: Den Vozdushno-desantnykh voysk
  2. ↑ Russian: День десантника, romanized: Den desantnika
  3. ↑ Ukrainian: День високомобільних десантних військ, romanized: Den vysokomobilnykh desantnykh viisk

References

  1. ↑ Sidorova, Irina (2017-08-02). "On this day: Russia celebrates Airborne Forces Day". www.rbth.com. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  2. ↑ "Первый десант". www.vrn-histpage.ru. Archived from the original on 2011-11-08. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  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. 1 2 (in Ukrainian) Khreshchatyk and Monster dungeons from Maidan. What is hidden under the fountains of Kyiv, Ukrayinska Pravda (14 August 2020)
  5. 1 2 (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". nnov.kp.ru. August 4, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Про День аеромобільних військ". Офіційний вебпортал парламенту України.
  9. ↑ "Власти Кемерова не дают десантникам искупаться в фонтане". sib.fm.
  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.
  12. ↑ "Russia Pulls the Plug on Drunken Paratroopers' Swimming Pool of Choice (Published 2012)". 2012-08-03. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  13. ↑ "Russian NTV correspondent punched in face on live TV by drunk in Moscow's Gorky Park on Airborne Troops Day - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2017-08-02. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  14. ↑ Stilwell, Blake (2022-04-18). "Russia's 'Paratrooper Day' Is the Wildest Veterans Party in the World". Military.com. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  15. ↑ "Бывшие десантники подрались с росгвардейцами в Москве – DW – 02.08.2020" [Former paratroopers fought with Russian National Guard officers in Moscow]. dw.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2025-08-26.
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