Airborne Forces Day in Hvardiiske

The end of our stay in the Samara forest coincided with Paratroopers Day, which is celebrated on August 2. On this day, in the nearby village of Hvardiiske, a celebratory demonstration was held, in which fighters of the 25th separate Dnipropetrovsk airborne brigade took part.

When we arrived at the venue, a local stadium, the battle formation was marching in front of hundreds of spectators, including many people in blue and white sleeveless shirts.

After the parade, the soldiers were stationed around the perimeter of the stadium, and planes appeared in the sky, which in a few minutes began to drop airborne troops.

For greater show, the paratroopers flew on bright multi-colored parachutes.

Then there was an imitation of combat conditions with a smoke screen, an obstacle course and a hypothetical enemy in the form of wooden poles, at which the fighters not only shot, but also threw knives, axes and sapper shovels.

The next squad demonstrated the technique of hand-to-hand combat.

It’s time for heavy equipment. Anti-aircraft guns appeared on the field, quickly turned around and started firing.

Scouts on BRDM appear. Nearby, one of the paratroopers says: “Now the show will be more cooler”.

Fire is changed by hand-to-hand combat.

Spectacular action – breaking a board off a paratrooper. Despite all efforts, a spectacular finish was not possible – the board constantly bent.

Demonstration performances have ended, paratroopers are lined up and listening to a festive concert.

After the performances, there were many shell casings left on the field, which did not have to be cleaned, because a crowd of children rushed to the field and collected them completely.