Annually on November 19, our country celebrates the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery - on the basis of the decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 549 of May 31, 2006 "On the establishment of professional holidays and memorable days in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation." The date of the celebration has a historical reference to November 19, 1942, when Soviet troops launched a counteroffensive at Stalingrad.
The beginning of the operation was marked by crushing blows from Soviet guns. This helped to break the enemy's defensive line and avoid unnecessary losses for the troops, which would have been inevitable without proper artillery preparation. It is this operation (Operation "Uranus") that is considered actually a turning point in the course of the Great Patriotic War. Indeed, as a result, it was possible to encircle the most powerful enemy grouping near the banks of the Volga and transfer the Hitlerite army, which did not know such serious defeats, to a permanent retreat - right up to the Hitlerite den in Berlin.
Initially, the holiday was called the Day of Artillery. It was established in October 1944 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
In all the wars in which the army participated, artillery played a significant and sometimes decisive role. Its name - "God of War" - the artillery received directly on the eve of the war with the Nazis, fully justifying this status. Most military operations ended in success if artillery units were able to engage in timely action. Preemptive strikes made it possible to lead to the disorganization of the enemy's orders, which provided an advantage both in individual (local) sectors and in the course of large operations.
For military services during the Great Patriotic War, more than 1,800 artillerymen were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, 1.6 million people were awarded orders and medals.
In 1964, with the active development of missile technologies of a military nature, the holiday received a new name - what we are used to: Day of the Missile Forces and Artillery.
Rocket and artillerymen took an active part in hostilities in Afghanistan, in peacekeeping operations on the territory of the CIS countries, in the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus. In recent years, Russian equipment has been actively used during an operation against militants in the Syrian Arab Republic. Experienced military instructors from the RF Armed Forces are helping the Syrian army to successfully use Russian artillery pieces and systems, making a truly enormous contribution to the overall defeat of international terrorist groups.
Modern rocket troops and artillery of the RF Armed Forces consist of several main segments: rocket troops and artillery of the Ground Forces, artillery of the coastal forces of the Navy and artillery of the Airborne Forces. In turn, these army formations are divided into rocket, rocket, artillery brigades, artillery regiments, more powerful artillery battalions, separate reconnaissance artillery battalions, etc.
The head of the modern missile forces and artillery is General Mikhail Matveevsky, who briefly described the main paths of development of the troops today:
The main direction in the performance of combat missions is to equip formations, units and subunits of missile forces and artillery with highly effective automated control and reconnaissance systems, as well as modernized or advanced missile and artillery systems, and comprehensive support and protection means.
And the latest complexes and systems are supplied to the troops - in full accordance with the ongoing program of rearmament and modernization of the army. These are modernized 152-mm self-propelled howitzers "Msta-SM", MLRS "Tornado-G". The anti-tank subdivisions of the RF Armed Forces are supplied with new all-weather anti-tank missile systems "Chrysanthemum-S". The rearmament of the ground forces' missile formations on the Iskander-M missile system is being actively carried out, which cause a really violent reaction from NATO's "partners".
Russian missile forces and artillery are taking part in numerous exercises. They were also involved in the Zapad-2017 exercise, which took place in the Pskov, Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions, as well as in Belarus. As you know, Western "friends" are still trying to make claims against Russia about the conducted maneuvers, while they themselves continue to improve the military infrastructure directly on the borders of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.
The main defense department of the country reminds that a campaign is underway to attract the signing of the contract - mainly the positions of the rank and file. The fact is that the popularity of service in the missile forces and artillery is high - sergeant positions and positions of foremen are staffed with contract servicemen by 100%.
To obtain an education in the direction of the missile forces and artillery in the structure of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, applicants can submit the necessary documents to such a military university as the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy, located in St. Petersburg. This is a forge of officers for the troops, which today celebrate their holiday, while continuing to remain on alert.
Voennoye Obozreniye congratulates the servicemen of the missile forces and artillery on their professional holiday!
