Russian Paratroopers Are Awarded For Peaceful Saving of Crimea

On the Day of Russian Federation State Flag Minister of Defense General of the Army Sergei Shoigu awarded by the order of Suvorov the 76th assault airborne Chernigov division, which is called "Guards" since the World War II.

Earlier, the Ukrainian media spread false reports that the order will be awarded to the Marines for allegedly participating in hostilities at the Donbass.

"This solemn day, I want to note that for many years the soldiers of your famous unit are an example of service to the homeland, demonstrate loyalty to the best traditions of the Russian Army, " - said the Defense Minister at the ceremonia.

The Minister reminded that the Pskov paratroopers have been in many "hot spots" from Armenia and Azerbaijan to Ossetia and Kosovo.

And a special place in the history of this division took events associated with an anti-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus.

And this year the soldiers and officers of the 76th airborne assault division honorably fulfilled special tasks for the return of the Republic of Crimea into the Russian Federation.

"I think that awarding with the order of Suvorov is symbolic, " - said the Minister and added that service in the airborne troops initially implies the highest level of professionalism and loyalty to the Suvorov military science which logo is to win not by the number but by skill.

While recently held exercises Russian airborne forces have demonstrated that Russia can count on Pskov paratroopers in solving important tasks for the protection of national interests.

Then Sergei Shoigu laid flowers to the monument of Fallen Soldiers.

This airborne division was formed on 1 of September, 1939, near Novorossiysk.

Then it was called the 157th rifle division.

During WWII its soldiers and officers defended Odessa, participated in the battle for the Crimea, in the battle of Stalingrad, crossed the Dnieper, released Ukraine, Belarus and Poland.

1 March, 1943, the 175th infantry division for bravery and courage in battle on the Volga river was transformed into the 76th guards rifle division.

After the WWII more than 3.5 thousand Pskov paratroopers were awarded by state awards, 36 of them became Heroes of the Russian Federation, many were Heroes of the Soviet Union.