May 29 — Military Motorist's Day: history, greetings and postcards

Every year, in the last month of spring, the Russian Armed Forces celebrate Military Motorist's Day, dedicated to all those whose service is related to cars. Read about the traditions associated with this holiday and how to congratulate the culprits of the celebration in the Izvestia article.

Military Motorist's Day in 2025: date, history

Military Motorist's Day is celebrated on May 29. In 2025, it falls on a Thursday.

The holiday was established in 2000 by order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation. It was decided to celebrate it on May 29 — it was on this day in 1910 that the first training automobile company appeared in the army of the Russian Empire. Her tasks included training personnel capable of operating and maintaining machines.

At the beginning of the 20th century, cars were not as widespread as they are now. Most of the work on transporting guns, ammunition and provisions in the army was carried out by horse-drawn wagons. However, technological progress did not stand still, and gradually machines began to replace the "four-legged force." Before the outbreak of World War I, the Russian army had a fleet of 711 cars and 101 motorcycles. This was not enough to fully support the troops, but even then it became clear that cars provided a significant advantage on the battlefield.

After the Civil War, the Red Army already possessed several thousand vehicles. Most of them were imported, but by the end of the 1920s, the military fleet began to be replenished with domestically produced vehicles. By the mid-1930s, cars were already seen as the main means of motorized infantry, which would radically change the course of offensive operations.

Looking after small ones: a radar has been developed to detect drones

The new radar has compact dimensions and high mobility.

At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the fleet of the Soviet Army already exceeded 272 thousand units of cars and trucks. Their number was actively replenished due to the production, mobilization of civilian equipment and supplies from abroad. During the war, cars transported about 101 million tons of cargo. The drivers evacuated the wounded, supplied the troops with provisions, ammunition and medicines. Thanks to their efforts, thousands of people were taken out of besieged Leningrad along the "Road of Life".

In the modern Russian army, cars are one of the most widespread types of military equipment. They play a key role in the daily life of every branch of the military. Every day, drivers transport tons of fuel, ammunition, provisions, medicines, and other supplies. They also transport military personnel and evacuate the wounded.

Military Motorist's Day: greetings and postcards

The perpetrators of the celebration often spend the day of the military motorist on duty. In honor of the holiday, formations and training camps are held in military units, during which senior officials deliver official congratulations. Sometimes awards for distinguished fighters are held on this day.

Various memorial events are also held on the holiday. Solemn rallies are held near the monuments to military motorists, where participants lay flowers and honor the memory of the dead with a minute of silence.

On Military Motorist's Day, congratulations are received not only by drivers, but also by repairmen, engineers, technicians, and commanders of automotive units. All of them perform important and time-consuming work, without which it is impossible to imagine the modern Armed Forces of Russia. Therefore, you should support them with warm words on the holiday. Here's how it can be done:

"Congratulations on the Day of the military motorist! May all the roads on your way be clear, and the "iron horse" never fails. I wish you good health, career success, good spirits and good health!"

"Congratulations to all drivers, mechanics and engineers on the Day of the Military motorist! You are our mainstay, the heroes we can always rely on. We wish you a peaceful sky, boundless happiness, good luck on the roads and perseverance in achieving your goals!"

"Congratulations on your professional holiday — Military Motorist's Day! I wish you to get to your destination on time, not to get sick, enjoy life and keep a positive attitude in any situation!"