How is Spetsnaz Day celebrated in Russia?

Day of special forces in the Russian Federation becomes a holiday of the elite military unit, performing the most complicated combat missions. Warriors in "maroon" berets have always been respected among Russians, and the name of the headgear of the special forces is associated with the word "sprinkled", that is, filled with blood. So it is called in honor of the special forces killed during the execution of special operations, and among servicemen of this unit of troops the "maroon" beret is a symbol of courage.

History : Today Special Forces Day is officially celebrated by all servicemen of military special purpose units, and this type of troops has undergone a long evolution. The first such structures were created back in 1918 with a view to fruitful struggle against the Basmachi and insurgents of Central Asia at the time of the establishment of Soviet power in the territory of the former Russian Empire.

These branches are considered the ancestors of modern special forces, although the names of these troops and their structure have changed many times. However, the essence of the work of special detachments remained unchanged for decades, as the groups of qualified servicemen were engaged in the search and subsequent detention of the most dangerous criminals, released hostages and liquidated various bandit formations.

At present, Russian special forces are modern paramilitary forces subordinate to various federal authorities, and each of them is characterized by the existence of its own conditional name. These departments include "Vityaz" and "Alpha", "Rus" and "Vympel", and the fighters of each individual unit have specific tasks.

Distinctive characteristics of servicemen in "maroon" berets are coordination of actions, speed of reaction and mobility, and Spetsnaz Day was approved as a recognition of the special merits of the soldiers in ensuring stability in the state. The professional holiday of employees of special forces is celebrated on October 24 according to the presidential decree signed in 2006. But the special forces have another "birthday", which is celebrated on August 29, since on that date in 1957 it was decided to form five special battalions of special forces.

Features : GRU Spetsnaz Day is now an official holiday, celebrated on October 24, but on the streets of Russian cities at that time neither mass festivities nor any demonstrative performances are held. GRU units were created back in 1950 on the initiative of Marshal Vasilevsky, and the main task of this isolated special forces unit was to combat the proliferation of nuclear weapons created on the territory of NATO countries.

Day of Special Forces Airborne Forces coincides with the professional holiday of other special forces units , since October 24 is a date that unites all servicemen of elite units of the Russian army. Only militiamen serving in the OMON can solemnly celebrate Special Forces Day on another date - on November 9, listening to congratulations and farewells from their direct chiefs - the heads of the Internal Affairs Directorate.

Celebration : Special Forces officers serving in elite subunits celebrate the professional holiday in different ways, however, for occasional activities outsiders are allowed very rarely. As a rule, competitions of various reconnaissance groups are held on such a day, but they are often held in the territory of closed combat units, and only the command is able to fully appreciate their level of tactical and special training. Unofficial part of the holiday many special forces celebrate in a close circle of colleagues, remembering about the former special operations, and virtually no owner of a maroon beret celebrates a professional date in clubs.