On August 2, 1930, a 12-man paratrooper unit parachuted from a TB-3 heavy bomber during military exercises in the Moscow Military District near Voronezh. This was Russia’s first airborne unit. On this day, the Russian Airborne Forces were born.
© RIA Novosti . Vitaly Ankov / Go to the mediabankOn August 2, 1930, a 12-man paratrooper unit parachuted from a TB-3 heavy bomber during military exercises in the Moscow Military District near Voronezh. This was Russia’s first airborne unit. On this day, the Russian Airborne Forces were born.
![Celebrating Russia's airborne troops Celebrating Russia's airborne troops - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16552/69/165526969_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_f4e1eb5190a6a5bb54f6118e32e560db.jpg)
On August 2, 1930, a 12-man paratrooper unit parachuted from a TB-3 heavy bomber during military exercises in the Moscow Military District near Voronezh. This was Russia’s first airborne unit. On this day, the Russian Airborne Forces were born.
© RIA Novosti . Vitaly Ankov / Go to the mediabankLike in previous years, the first to receive congratulations this year were veterans of the Russian Airborne Forces in Vladivostok.
![Celebrating Russia's airborne troops Celebrating Russia's airborne troops - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16552/70/165527037_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_0c8397f08167888d26869a293daa7ef4.jpg)
Like in previous years, the first to receive congratulations this year were veterans of the Russian Airborne Forces in Vladivostok.
© RIA Novosti . Ruslan Krivobok / Go to the mediabankThe patron saint of the Russian Airborne Forces is the Prophet Elijah. It has become tradition to celebrate St. Elijah's Day on Moscow’s Ilyinka Street – which means Elijah’s Street – with military performances on Red Square.
![Celebrating Russia's airborne troops Celebrating Russia's airborne troops - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16552/70/165527081_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_56d67a1c7c8aa60201a8b0fb0464dc78.jpg)
The patron saint of the Russian Airborne Forces is the Prophet Elijah. It has become tradition to celebrate St. Elijah's Day on Moscow’s Ilyinka Street – which means Elijah’s Street – with military performances on Red Square.
© RIA Novosti . Ruslan Krivobok / Go to the mediabankAirborne troops march down Ilyinka Street to Red Square in the sacred procession.
![Celebrating Russia's airborne troops Celebrating Russia's airborne troops - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16552/71/165527126_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_6ebe4e30819fc32701263117a46d950d.jpg)
Airborne troops march down Ilyinka Street to Red Square in the sacred procession.
© RIA Novosti . Ruslan Krivobok / Go to the mediabankOn this day, they march on rose petals and carry icons instead of rifles.
![Celebrating Russia's airborne troops Celebrating Russia's airborne troops - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16552/71/165527175_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_b0d31bbb7db2e597d65911cf8d50a319.jpg)
On this day, they march on rose petals and carry icons instead of rifles.
© RIA Novosti . Ruslan Krivobok / Go to the mediabankAirborne troops and cadets performed together on Red Square.
![Celebrating Russia's airborne troops Celebrating Russia's airborne troops - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16552/72/165527287_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_d8a203c882ffc55d9f0031268e2e6e48.jpg)
Airborne troops and cadets performed together on Red Square.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Danichev / Go to the mediabankIn St. Petersburg airborne veterans gather in Palace Square on August 2.
![Celebrating Russia's airborne troops Celebrating Russia's airborne troops - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16552/72/165527219_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_3837d9a90bf917678a04a556393b2493.jpg)
In St. Petersburg airborne veterans gather in Palace Square on August 2.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Danichev / Go to the mediabankThe festivities begin with laying flowers at the eternal flame on the Field of Mars.
![Celebrating Russia's airborne troops Celebrating Russia's airborne troops - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16552/65/165526541_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_f2697322e8e6e7982bf3869152d0c3d3.jpg)
The festivities begin with laying flowers at the eternal flame on the Field of Mars.
![Celebrating Russia's airborne troops Celebrating Russia's airborne troops - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16552/65/165526565_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_f3dfd64ed1bffa87c74e580e8732b667.jpg)
Here veterans remember their fallen friends.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Danichev / Go to the mediabankMillionnaya Street in St. Petersburg was closed off to everyone except airborne troops.
![Celebrating Russia's airborne troops Celebrating Russia's airborne troops - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16552/69/165526932_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_657cd27cf6924ec7ae9c4a1e09b8171c.jpg)
Millionnaya Street in St. Petersburg was closed off to everyone except airborne troops.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Danichev / Go to the mediabankIt is reported that about five thousand people, who consider themselves “more relatives than friends” of the Russian Airborne Forces, celebrated the holiday in St. Petersburg.
![Celebrating Russia's airborne troops Celebrating Russia's airborne troops - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16552/69/165526910_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_4e2c0d9fcd8df15cf077320c1af29dc1.jpg)
It is reported that about five thousand people, who consider themselves “more relatives than friends” of the Russian Airborne Forces, celebrated the holiday in St. Petersburg.
© RIA Novosti . Gleb Kotov / Go to the mediabankSoldiers of 247th Airborne Assault Caucasian Cossack Regiment show off their skills.
![Celebrating Russia's airborne troops Celebrating Russia's airborne troops - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16552/68/165526898_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_40c06ac5786fe1ebdf3a2ac3a875970b.jpg)
Soldiers of 247th Airborne Assault Caucasian Cossack Regiment show off their skills.