Russia does not have a single public holiday officially named "Veterans Day." The concept is observed through several distinct days of remembrance, with the most direct equivalent being Defender of the Fatherland Day, celebrated annually on February 23. This national holiday honors all individuals who are serving or have served in the Russian Armed Forces, functioning as a general day for all military personnel, past and present.
Beyond February 23, other significant dates honor specific groups of veterans. The most prominent is Victory Day on May 9, which commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II and is the primary day for honoring veterans of what is known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War. Another important date is the Day of Remembrance of Russians who served outside the Fatherland, observed on February 15. This day specifically honors veterans of international military conflicts, marking the anniversary of the final Soviet troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989.
In summary, while there is no direct counterpart to the American Veterans Day, Russia commemorates its veterans on multiple occasions. Defender of the Fatherland Day (February 23) is the most comprehensive, Victory Day (May 9) is the most culturally significant for WWII veterans, and the Day of Remembrance (February 15) is designated for veterans of foreign wars.
