Across Russia, celebrations for Defender of the Fatherland Day were marked by various festive events, honoring military personnel and celebrating their contributions to the country. Each city put forth unique tributes as part of the national recognition of this significant day.
On February 23, 2023, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky kicked off festivities at noon with ceremonies starting at Victory Park, where flowers were laid at the memorial complex. At 1:00 PM, participants gathered at Freedom Square for the laying of flowers at the monument honoring the liberators of the Kuril Islands during 1945. The day's atmosphere geared up with activities like the 4:30 PM flash mob titled 'Hero's Symbol', where attendees formed the shape of the five-pointed star, the symbol of the Russian army. By 5:00 PM, floral tributes continued at the 'City of Military Glory' stele, followed by the concert 'To Serve Russia'. The evening culminated with fireworks at 8:00 PM, lighting the sky and celebrating the valor of defenders, as noted by local officials, including Kamchatka's Governor Vladimir Sолодов, who stated, "We express our gratitude to all who stood up to defend the Motherland!" as reported by ИА «Камчатка».
Meanwhile, Novosibirsk celebrated the occasion with its own artillery salute at 9:00 PM. The night sky was filled with colorful bursts of fireworks, reflecting the jubilant spirit of the occasion. Photographers captured the stunning display, showcasing how artillery rounds transformed the evening with their vibrant colors. Local news outlet НГС reported, "The fireworks painted the sky over Novosibirsk in different colors," highlighting the excitement among the residents.
Chita also embraced the celebrations, with fireworks starting at 9:00 PM near the 'Combat and Labor Glory of the Transbaikal' memorial. Local reports from «Чита.Ру» described how the explosions lit up the night, creating a spectacular show above the city. Interestingly, there was no prior announcement about the fireworks, which surprised many locals and added a spontaneous flair to the festivities. Just hours earlier, at noon, the midday gun salute took place at Titov Hill, where Commander Andrew Slobodchikov delivered inspirational remarks to the gathering crowd.
Notably, St. Petersburg also prepared for celebratory fireworks. Despite advance planning, traffic disruptions were anticipated due to the celebrations, as highlighted by local traffic authorities. Key intersections would be closed from 7:00 PM until midnight, ensuring the safety and flow of the events dedicated to honoring the nation's military forces.
The messages from local officials across the participating cities echoed the sentiments shared by Governor Sолодов, emphasizing the importance of remembering and respecting those who have served the nation. Salutes and celebratory gatherings throughout Russia, from the easternmost reaches of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to the heart of St. Petersburg, embodied national gratitude and pride for the defenders of the homeland.