Russian Homeland Defense Day in Armenia
Today Russia celebrates Homeland Defense Day. Even though this is not an official holiday on Armenia's holiday calendar, high-ranking officers of Armenia and Artsakh paid tribute to Russian soldiers during an event held in front of the statue of the Unknown Soldier at the Mother Armenia memorial complex. The major guests at the event were the Russian Ambassador to Armenia and diplomats.
An official of the Russian Embassy in Armenia announced that "the celebration on February 23 traces back to the past" and that today's event was evidence that Russia will never leave Armenia alone.
"We see how Armenians love their Homeland defenders. This holiday will further strengthen the Armenian-Russian military partnership because we can't go very far without each other," said military attaché of the Russian Embassy in Armenia Yevgeni Vasileyev.
For the veterans taking part in the event, the Homeland defender and the Russian soldier are the same.
"I sleep at ease at night. The Red Army has always been our guardian and has protected us from the Turks," said second degree disabled Yeznik Margaryan.
