God is with you and two parachutes!

      ...and the blue expanse will splash across the cities and towns of Russia. Perhaps no other branch of the military celebrates its day with such grandeur. Although the Airborne Forces Day, or Paratrooper Day, is not an official public holiday marked in the national calendar, this coming Saturday, it appears, will see a nationwide celebration of the Airborne Forces. The blue berets will blend with the crowds of holidaymakers in Nizhny Novgorod. Moreover, this year, the “winged assault” marks its 95th anniversary.

      On August 2, 1930, a combat group of 12 soldiers parachuted for the first time in Soviet history during tactical exercises near Voronezh. A 'Farman-Goliath' bomber, carrying the paratroopers, took off at nine in the morning, and the brave volunteers jumped from 350 meters. Five seconds later, they landed on a field near the Khutor Klochkov. While the 'Farman-Goliath' returned for the second group, three more aircraft flew over the field, dropping mailbags and boxes with various ammunition, including two hand-held machine guns and rifles. When the second group landed, the soldiers met and moved to the designated point...

      After these maneuvers, experts realized the need to form this type of military force, and within a year, the first parachute units were established in the Soviet Union. In 1932, parachute battalions became part of the Air Force (VVS), and in 1946, they began reporting directly to the Minister of Defense, remaining part of the Ground Forces for another 45 years. Paratroopers proved themselves admirably during the Soviet-Finnish War and the Great Patriotic War—during WWII, 296 paratroopers were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Their heroic daring made them famous in Afghanistan and in other conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries. Today’s paratroopers, the elite of our Armed Forces, carry their banner with pride.

      However, only in 1991 did the “winged assault” gain independence. On May 31, 2006, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree “On Establishing Professional Holidays and Memorial Days in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation,” granting official status to Paratroopers Day in Russia. That’s when widespread celebrations in the country began, recalling those exercises near Voronezh. Even earlier, the paratroopers themselves celebrated the founding of their forces, but not with such scale and joy as now.

      Those with no direct connection to the airborne troops have probably heard of “Uncle Vasya” from the festive heroes. Paratroopers often decode the acronym VDV as “Vasya’s Troops.” It refers to Hero of the USSR Vasily Margelov, who commanded the VDV for over 20 years. Vasily Filippovich, a general of the army, taught his men to parachute directly from combat vehicles—making them what they are today. Thanks to him, paratroopers received their telnyashkas (striped shirts) and blue berets, later glorified by the eponymous vocal-instrumental ensemble.

      This tradition of paratroopers—wearing blue berets and telnyashkas, meeting in city parks—began on their day of celebration. For example, in Moscow, Gorky Park is a traditional gathering spot for paratroopers, while in the Volga region’s capital, the Victory Park at the Rowing Canal is also popular. On this day, the best paratroopers are awarded medals and valuable gifts. Especially distinguished personnel receive special ranks and new positions. On their day, blue berets are congratulated not only by family members but also by the Defense Minister and even the President.

      In the current decade, equipped with the latest military technology, the main revelers often stage demonstration performances, showcasing weapons and equipment in service. Festive concerts and hand-to-hand combat master classes are organized in Nizhny Novgorod parks, along with parades. At the Lower Volga embankment, in front of Victory Park, parachutists perform show jumps, and parachute packing contests are held. Young residents of Nizhny Novgorod typically marvel at demonstrations of paratroopers fighting with saboteurs or special forces performing on simulated battlefields. Exhibitions of firearms, military engineering, and photo displays dedicated to VDV history are open, and field kitchens serve traditional food. Before the official celebrations, a service usually takes place in the Church of Elijah the Prophet, attended by veteran paratroopers from Nizhny Novgorod.

      On this day, blue berets remember their fallen comrades: every August 2nd involves a flower-laying ceremony at memorials to paratroopers and the Eternal Flame. Additionally, on this day, they drive through Nizhny Novgorod streets in vehicles adorned with symbols and flags of the Airborne Forces.

      Most people also know that on Paratroopers Day, it’s customary to swim in fountains and eat watermelons. The “watermelon tradition” started among paratroopers after Soviet troops withdrew from Afghanistan, and, coincidentally, striped watermelons ripen in Russia around August. The origin of the love for swimming in fountains remains uncertain, with many theories. One popular belief is that August 2 coincides with the day of the Prophet Ilya, the patron saint of paratroopers, who clears the skies for successful jumps. In Orthodox Russia, it was believed that evil spirits, including underwater ones, awaken at that time, and swimming was forbidden. But those in the parachutes supposedly felt fearless—perhaps because, according to themselves, they want to be closer to the sky, reflected in the fountains’ water...

      “The best military qualities—courage, honor, bravery, ingenuity, fidelity to duty and comrades—are embodied by you,” says a message from the governor of the region, Gleb Nikitin. “You are always guarding your homeland’s interests, ready at any moment to repel the enemy and be in the thick of events. The glorious traditions of the Airborne Forces were laid down by generations of your predecessors, and you continue them with honor...”

      The motto “Nobody but us” has remained the main slogan of every paratrooper for nearly a century, said Artem Kavinov, a deputy of the State Duma of Russia, a former senior sergeant of the VDV special forces, congratulating his fellow Nizhny Novgorod paratroopers on their day. “Today, the VDV personnel fulfill their most responsible missions with honor in the SVO zone, embodying the motto of the ‘airborne’ forces. Eternal memory to those left on the battlefield. Wishing good health and victory to everyone remaining in service, defending our homeland. God is with us, and we have two parachutes!”

      Tatiana Chinyakova. Photo by Alexander Volozhanin.