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 byRussia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan
SignificanceCelebrates the armed forces and commemorates the founding of the Red Army
ObservancesWreath laying ceremonies, concerts, parades
Date23 February
Next time23 February 2025 (2025-02-23)
Frequencyannual

Defender of the Fatherland Day (‹See Tfd›Russian: День защитника Отечества Den' zashchitnika Otechestva; Kazakh: Отан қорғаушы күні, romanizedOtan qorğauşy künı; Tajik: Рӯзи Дорандаи Ватан, romanizedRūzi Dorandai Vatan; Kyrgyz: Мекенди коргоочулардын күнү, romanizedMekendi korgoochulardyn künü; Belarusian: Дзень абаронцы Айчыны, romanizedDzeń abaroncy Ajčyny) is a holiday observed in Russia, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. 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.