Russia marks its annual Missile Forces and Artillery Day on Sunday, November 19. According to the Ministry of Defense, since 2012, 4,000 modern missile and artillery systems have been delivered to the army, making Russia the world leader in terms of these type of weapons, Sputnik writes.
The commemorative day was established by the May 31 2006, executive order of the Russian president, "Establishing Professional Holidays and Commemorative Days in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation."
On this day, the people of Russia honor military specialists for their contribution to national defense and security. It is also intended to help revive and build on Russian military traditions and to make military service more prestigious.
Artillery systems have heavily influenced the outcome of all wars and battles involving the Russian army. Figuratively called the "God of War" in 1940, they lived up to their name on the battlefields of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.
Today, missile forces and artillery units of the Russian Armed Forces include missile and artillery units of the Ground Forces, artillery units of the Navy’s coastal defense elements and artillery units of the Airborne Force consisting of missiles, multiple launch rocket systems and artillery brigades, artillery and multiple launch rocket system regiments, large-caliber artillery battalions, detached artillery reconnaissance battalions, as well as artillery units of motorized rifle, tank, Airborne Force and Marine elements.
Under its action plan, the Russian Defense Ministry is implementing a number of measures to overhaul the structure, organization, and fighting and numerical strength of missile forces and artillery units.
