Islamabad:As the Russian Embassy hosted a special ceremony here to mark the Defender of the Fatherland Day, Ambassador Albert P. Khorev described the occasion as a tribute to Russia’s long tradition of military honour, sacrifice and service.
Welcoming diplomats, senior Pakistani civil and military officers and diplomats, the envoy said the day held a special place in the history and hearts of Russian people. "Defender of the Fatherland Day symbolises continuity across generations and reflects the enduring readiness of Russian forces to safeguard national sovereignty."
Tracing the origins of the day, Khorev recalled that Russia’s regular armed forces were formally established in January 1918, when the Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army and Navy were formed.
On February 23 of that year, a decree titled “The Socialist Fatherland Is in Danger!” called upon citizens to defend the homeland, a date that later became associated with the annual commemoration.
Although Russia has undergone sweeping political and structural transformations over the last century, the ambassador said, the commitment of its armed forces to defend the country has remained constant.
He invoked key moments in Russian military history and paid tribute to celebrated military commanders such as Alexander Suvorov, famed for never losing a battle, and Mikhail Kutuzov, whose strategy during the Patriotic War of 1812 led to the defeat of Napoleon’s invading forces.
The envoy described these figures as enduring symbols of unity between the Russian army and its people. Special emphasis was placed on the Soviet Union’s victory in what Russia calls the Great Patriotic War during World War II.
He acknowledged the immense sacrifices made in defeating Nazi Germany and cited the leadership of marshals such as Georgy Zhukov, Konstantin Rokossovsky, and Alexander Vasilevsky.
Turning to present-day developments, the ambassador said the armed forces of the Russian Federation continued to serve as the “backbone of the state,” enhancing their professionalism and capabilities with modern domestic military technologies.
