Rightward march: the politics of Russia´s armed forces day
(World News Russia)

On the symbolism of Defender of the Fatherland Day, a celebration of Russia´s armed forces and de-facto Men´s Day. Vladimir Putin and Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu attend a Defender of the Fatherland parade by the tomb of the unknown soldier. Moscow, 2013. (c) Alexei Nikolsky / RIA Novosti. All rights reserved. Every year, on 23 February, Russia celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day. The holiday was initially known as Soviet Army and Navy Day, and became to all intents and purposes a celebration of the USSR´s armed forces. But it´s long since lost this historical meaning. In fact, it´s become a de-facto `Men´s Day` in Russia, a counterpart to International Women´s Day on 8 March. oDR...