Russians Celebrate Paratrooper Day

On August 2, people across Russia celebrate their paratroopers: current and ex servicemen don their trademark striped vests and blue berets and head to town parks and squares to celebrate – often with alcohol-fuelled macho competitions. In St. Petersburg a man celebrating paratrooper day and an LGBT activist on a one-man protest were detained by police after a scuffle broke out between them when the activist tried to unfurl a rainbow flag, local media reported.

In Moscow, the Soviet-built exhibition pavilion at VDNKh and Gorky Park are among the main focal points for paratrooper day celebrations – men in striped vests frolicked in fountains, waved flags and ate watermelons.

Ex-paratroopers remembered their time on active service.

Some in Yekaterinburg headed to Soviet Army square complete with parachute, just in case.

In addition to the more worldly celebrations taking place in fountains and parks across the capital, Moscow also saw a Christian procession through the city to mark the day.

The Russian Orthodox Church and Russia’s Paratroopers also paid their respects to Prophet Elijah. Prophet Elijah is referred to as a healer and miracle-worker in Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and is regarded by Russia’s Paratroopers as their protector.

Veterans, serving paratroopers, and cadets took part in celebrations on Moscow’s Red Square.

Many people brought their children along.

The Christian procession through Moscow, in honor of Prophet Elijah, started from the Elijah the Prophet cathedral and ended on Red Square.

Paratroopers on Red Square celebrating the 83-rd anniversary of the creation of dedicated paratroopers’ units within the country’s Armed Forces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised veterans and serving paratroopers for their outstanding professionalism, skill, sense of duty and loyalty.

Moscow’s Gorky Park remains a favorite spot for partying paratroopers.

Celebrating paratrooper day in Tomsk. The local authorities drained the fountains, reportedly for technical reasons, but that did not put a dampener on proceedings – the men headed to the river.

Celebrations in St. Petersburg included a veterans’ parade and the laying of flowers, and a concert.

Celebrating Paratrooper Day.