October 1, Day of the Ground Forces of the Russian Federation
On Saturday, Russia celebrates the Day of the Ground Forces. This memorable date was established by decree of the President of the Russian Federation of 31 May 2006 of the year "in order to revive and develop domestic military traditions, increase the prestige of military service and in recognition of the merits of military specialists in solving the tasks of ensuring the defense and security of the state."
History The ground forces began in the 1550 year, when the decree of Tsar Ivan the Terrible laid the foundations of the first permanent land forces. This event was an important stage in the strengthening of Russian statehood, marked the beginning of a new stage in the development of military affairs and the security system of Russia. During the Great Patriotic War, the Ground Forces gained unfading glory and made a decisive contribution to the victory over the Nazi invaders. For courage, heroism and courage, hundreds of thousands of soldiers were awarded orders and medals, 8 thousands became Heroes of the Soviet Union.
Russian Ground Forces today is a type of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, designed to repulse the aggressor’s blow on the continental theaters of war, to hold occupied territories, areas, lines, defeat troop groups and seize enemy territory. The Ground Forces includes motorized rifle, tank, missile forces and artillery, military air defense, special forces, military units and institutions of the rear, reminds ITAR-TASS.
On the eve of the professional holiday, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces, Colonel-General Alexander Postnikov, said that, despite the increasing military significance of aerospace, the role and importance of the Ground Forces in modern conditions has not decreased. “After all, it was the military units of the Ground Forces that were and remain the only means capable of holding and controlling the territory,” he explained. “The ground forces provide reliable defense of the territory of Russia, which is especially important for our country, taking into account the size and length of its land borders, as well as its special political and geographical location. The ground forces play a crucial role in neutralizing contemporary threats and security challenges, including manifestations of terrorism, while in and in all scenarios, the complications of the military-political situation guarantee the military security of Russia. "
Currently, the main efforts of the main command are aimed at improving the troops. As part of the formation of the modern look of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the Ground Forces became compact, mobile, consisting mainly of permanent readiness military formations, capable of immediately starting to perform a combat mission. According to the State Weapons Program for the 2011-2020 years, the share of modern weapons in the Ground Forces by 2020 will be at least 70 percent, and the implementation of this program will create weapon systems that meet the latest requirements.
Information