Today, November 25, our country celebrates the Day of the Russian Military Peacekeeper. Despite the fact that this holiday in Russia has not yet been enshrined in law, although in 2016 a corresponding bill was issued, this does not prevent it from being celebrated unofficially.
The mission of the peacekeepers can hardly be overestimated. They travel to the hottest spots on our planet to bring people peace and confidence in the future.
Among the recent missions of Russian peacekeepers, it is worth noting the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. The latter broke out in September last year and was discontinued on November 10. Russia took an active part in the negotiation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and deployed its peacekeeping contingent on the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh as a guarantee of the parties fulfilling their ceasefire obligations.
Regarding the holiday itself, the day when in 1973 Soviet servicemen officially took part in the UN peacekeeping mission in the Middle East was chosen as a memorable date.
It is worth recalling that the aforementioned international organization (talking about the UN Peacekeeping Forces) was created in 1956 and has conducted more than 70 operations during its existence.
The list of tasks of the contingent of peacekeepers includes both patrolling and monitoring the entrusted territory, as well as a military demonstration of force or a blockade of the violator's troops, if necessary (enforcement of peace).
By the way, if we recall the domestic peacekeeping operations to “enforce peace”, 2008 comes to mind from the relatively “fresh” year. Then Georgia, under the leadership of Mikhail Saakashvili, contrary to all the agreements, launched an offensive on Tskhinvali (the capital of South Ossetia), where the Russian peacekeepers were stationed.
Our country was forced to immediately respond to the aggression, and during the so-called "Five-Day War" (August 8-12) Georgia suffered a crushing defeat. The very same military operation was the first in modern stories Russia, which our Armed Forces conducted outside their territory.
It should be noted that Russia is not only a permanent member of the UN Peacekeeping Forces, but since 2007 has been a member of the CSTO peacekeeping contingent.
At the legislative level, the activities of domestic peacekeepers and their regulation were enshrined in a 1995 presidential decree.
In general, during its existence, the Russian peacekeeping contingent managed to take part in numerous missions, both in the far abroad and on the territory of the former Soviet republics.
Our servicemen have gained vast experience in peacekeeping missions and have established themselves as true professionals in their field. That is why the Russian Federation is now in the top ten in terms of the number of military observers at the United Nations.
Finally, it is not without reason that the heads of many states, in the event of a conflict, turn to Russia for "peace".