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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The festivities begin with laying flowers at the eternal flame on the Field of Mars.
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.
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.
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.
Soldiers of 247th Airborne Assault Caucasian Cossack Regiment show off their skills.