TSAMTO, September 9th. On September 8, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation celebrated a professional holiday – the Day of the Tanker, which is one of the most significant dates in the history of the Soviet and Russian armies.
In 2024, traditionally on the second Sunday of September, the professional holiday "Tanker's Day" was celebrated for the 78th time.
The Tank Troops Holiday was established by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on July 1, 1946 to commemorate the great merits and contribution of armored and mechanized troops to the defeat of the Nazi invaders during the Great Patriotic War, as well as the merits of tank builders in equipping the Armed Forces of the country with armored vehicles. The history of the troops dates back to the twenties of the last century, when, by order of the Main Armored Directorate of the Red Army, the first domestic tank was created at the Krasnoe Sormovo plant and went on sea trials on August 31, 1920, and since 1927, serial production of armored vehicles was established.
In the Ground Forces, tank battalions and formations, as before, remain an essential component. Currently, T-72B3, T-80BVM, T-90 "Breakthrough" tanks and their upgraded models are in service with tank units and formations of the Armed Forces.
Every year, the combat training program for tank units becomes more intense and more complex, but the most important indicator of the professionalism of Russian tankers today is the success achieved by tank units on the battlefield during the liberation of settlements during a special military operation, and tank crews demonstrate exceptional heroism, courage and bravery in the performance of military duty.
Constant practical training on the methodology adjusted taking into account the experience of ITS own made it possible to increase the level of field training among the personnel of tank units, to instill in tank commanders solid professional knowledge and skills, to develop their commanding qualities, fire control skills and crews.
The main forge for the training of our tankmen is the Kazan Higher Tank Command School. More than 25 thousand officers came out of the walls of the school, 74 people received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, four became Heroes of Socialist Labor, two became full cavaliers of the Order of Glory, and two more became Knights of St. George. Another 15 graduates were awarded the honorary title of "Hero of the Russian Federation". During the military training, 25 graduates of the school were awarded the title of Hero of Russia – among graduates of universities of the Land Forces, this is the largest number of Heroes during the period of the special operation. Over 250 officers who graduated from the college became generals, and six of them were awarded the rank of Colonel General.
Despite the development of military tactics and strategy, the emergence of new forms and methods of warfare, tank formations still play an important role on the battlefield, and nothing can replace them.
On the day of the tanker, solemn events were held in all tank formations and military units, according to the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
