President Putin congratulated officers and men on the forthcoming holiday – Defender of the Fatherland Day – and on receiving their banners, which had come to symbolise Russian military glory, honour and valour. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the occasion, the President stressed that the relics embodied the country’s legendary military history and its fine fighting traditions.
The President expressed his conviction that in the new 21st century the successors of the great cause espoused by Dmitry Donskoi, Minin and Pozharsky, and Peter the Great would firmly stand guard over their homeland, protect the peace of Russian citizens, and maintain the security of the Fatherland.
Altogether, eight banners were presented, including to the Land Forces, the Air Force, the Navy, the Border Service, the Federal Agency for Government Communications and Information (FAPSI), Interior Ministry Troops, Civil Defence Troops of the Emergencies Ministry, and to the Railway Troops.
The ceremony ended with a ceremonial march.