Defender of Fatherland Day is a day off.

In the Soviet times, this holiday used to be called Red Army Day as the Red Army was officially created on February 23, 1918.

Nowadays it has lost its political meaning and is regarded as a ‘men’s’ holiday. On this day the entire male population form little boys to old men receive greetings and small presents from the female part of the population. Women have the opportunity to show their warmest feelings towards their defenders, regardless of whether their loved ones served in the army or not.

Among the military this day is seen as a professional holiday.