Defender of the Fatherland Day
| Defender of the Fatherland Day | |
|---|---|
Wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow, 23 February 2008 | |
| Observed by | Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan |
| Significance | Celebrates the armed forces and commemorates the founding of the Red Army |
| Observances | Wreath laying ceremonies, concerts, parades |
| Date | 23 February |
| Next time | 23 February 2027 |
| Frequency | Annual |
Defender of the Fatherland Day (Russian: День защитника Отечества Den' zashchitnika Otechestva; Kazakh: Отан қорғаушы күні, romanized: Otan qorğauşy künı; Tajik: Рӯзи Дорандаи Ватан, romanized: Rūzi Dorandai Vatan; Kyrgyz: Мекенди коргоочулардын күнү, romanized: Mekendi korgoochulardyn künü; Belarusian: Дзень абаронцы Айчыны, romanized: Dzeń abaroncy Ajčyny) is a holiday observed in Russia, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan honouring their countries' armed forces and commemorating the founding of the Red Army. It is celebrated on 23 February, except in Kazakhstan, where it is celebrated on 7 May. Ukraine abolished the holiday starting 1992 and, after the Revolution of Dignity, has instated the somewhat similar Defender of Ukraine Day on 1 October.