Day of Homeland Defender celebrated in southern Russia

On February 23, the Southern and North-Caucasian Federal Districts (SFD and NCFD) hosted solemn events dedicated to the Day of Homeland Defender. In some regions, protest actions were dated to the holiday.

The "Caucasian Knot" has already reported that mass actions with participation of youth public organizations dated to February 23 and the 67th anniversary of liberation of Rostov-on-Don from fascist invaders, took place in all municipal formations of the Rostov Region.

In the morning on February 23, flowers to the eternal fire in the Karl Marx Square were laid by officials of the administration of the Rostov Region headed by Governor Vladimir Chub.

The local branch of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), in its turn, marked the Day of Homeland Defender by rallies held in three city districts. Thus, at the monument to World War II heroes activists of the CPRF held a meeting in defence of the rights of military servicemen.

The unanimously passed resolution of the meeting demanded immediate stop of the reform now in process in the army, prompt resignation of Vladimir Putin's government, and, first of all, Minister of Defence Serdyukov and Minister of Finance Kudrin.

On February 23, a march and a rally of leftish-patriotic forces were also held in Krasnodar with a demand of resignation of Putin's government.

In Adygea, communists also planned to hold a rally, voice out criticism of the reforms undertaken in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and express protest against increase of communal tariffs, as the "Yuga.Ru" Agency reports.

At the same time, the State Philharmonic Society of the republic hosted a solemn assembly dedicated to the Day of Homeland Defender with participation of President of Adygea Aslan Tkhakushinov. The event brought together executive and legislative bosses, top law enforcers, militaries, veterans of the World War II and members of youth-patriotic organizations, the Internet edition "Northern Caucasus" reports.

On February 19, in the Stavropol Territory, a solemn assembly dedicated to the Day of Homeland Defender was organized in the M. Lermontov Academic Theatre. On that very day, flowers were laid to the Eternal Glory Memorial and to the monument to fellow countrymen who perished in performing their military duty, the "Stavropolskaya Pravda" writes.

In Kabardino-Balkaria, on the eve of the holiday, meetings were held of young army recruits with veterans. Thus, in Anzoreya village, Lesken District, young people welcomed veterans of three generations - World War II and wars in Afghanistan, Chechnya and Abkhazia. As reported by the GTRK "Kabardino-Balkaria", meetings were held within the action "Soldiers of Fatherland".

On February 19, Cherkessk, the capital of Karachai-Circassia, hosted celebratory actions, dedicated to the Day of Homeland Defender. The holiday has opened with a march performed by the musical company of 34th Mountain Motorized Brigade and solemn exposure of the Banner of the Victory.

In Dagestan, under the approved plan of celebrating the Day of Homeland Defender, various children and youth actions were held.

On February 23, Astrakhan saw traditional laying down wreaths and flowers to the city monuments of military glory. The ceremony was attended by the leaders of the city and region, veterans of the World War II and local armed conflicts, military servicemen of the Caspian Fleet and the Astrakhan Military Garrison and activists of youth organizations.

In North Ossetia, on the eve of February 23 and in honour of the 65th anniversary of the Great Victory, Vladikavkaz hosted the ceremony of awarding the medals of Participants of the Great Patriotic War. 17 persons - former infantrymen, pilots, tankmen, medical nurses and military seamen - were decorated with the medal "65 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War".

The "Mir" TV Channel reports that a present to veterans on the Day of Homeland Defender was made by deputies of the youth parliament of North Ossetia. For the second time already they held a festival of patriotic songs in Vladikavkaz.

In Kalmykia, members of the Board of War and Labour Veterans of the republic congratulated on the Day of Homeland Defender "all those who fought and worked in the years of the Great Patriotic War for the freedom and independence of the Homeland, fairly served and are serving in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, without sacrificing the honour and dignity of Russian soldier," the "Elista.org" Agency reports.

Let us remind you that the Day of Homeland Defender was not celebrated in Chechnya and Ingushetia.

In Ingushetia, February 23 was marked as the Mourning Day for the victims of 1944 deportation.

Mourning events in memory of victims of Stalin's repressions were held on that day in Chechnya. From this year on, February 23 will be marked by the republic as the Day of Memory and Grief.