December 19 - Military Counterintelligence Day: history, traditions, congratulations

Every year on December 19 in Russia, employees and veterans of the military counterintelligence agencies, who are engaged in detecting and suppressing espionage, sabotage and other subversive activities against state security, celebrate their professional holiday. In 2024, the celebration falls on Thursday. About its history and traditions read in the material "Izvestia".

Day of military counterintelligence - 2024: the history of the holiday

The date of celebration of the Day of Military Counterintelligence is not chosen by chance, it is associated with an important historical event - December 19, 1918 was created department of the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission (VChK), which was engaged in the fight against counterrevolution, espionage and sabotage in the army. It became known as the Special Department. This event was the starting point for the formation of the military counterintelligence system in the USSR, and then in Russia.

During the Civil War, the structure played a decisive role in the fight against White Guards and foreign agents. With the strengthening of the Soviet state, military counterintelligence became part of the State Political Directorate under the NKVD.

During the Great Patriotic War, counterintelligence, renamed SMERSH (from the phrase "Death to Spies"), became one of the most powerful instruments of defense of the Soviet army. Its tasks included identifying spies, saboteurs, and others who threatened the security of the USSR.

With a new genus: troops of unmanned systems will be created in Russia

The organizational structure of the units will be formed next year

After the end of World War II, counterintelligence was reorganized and became part of the USSR Ministry of State Security. During the Cold War, it played a key role in the confrontation with Western countries, preventing spying and sabotage activities in the Soviet Union. Counterintelligence officers were also active in the Warsaw Pact countries, protecting Soviet military installations abroad.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the military counterintelligence system underwent another stage of transformation. It became part of the Russian Federal Security Service and was given tasks related to the changed international situation and new threats.

Currently, the work of counterintelligence is aimed at protecting the Russian armed forces from spying and sabotage activities of foreign intelligence agencies, ensuring the security of strategic facilities, preventing leaks of classified information, protecting against cyberattacks and suppressing internal destructive activities.

How to celebrate the Day of Military Counterintelligence on December 19

Unlike many other professional holidays, the Day of Military Counterintelligence is not associated with mass public actions due to the specifics of the work of this structure, its high level of confidentiality. Traditionally, it is celebrated in a narrow circle of professionals, as well as veterans of the service.

Events dedicated to this day are held in the framework of private meetings, during which they discuss professional achievements, summarize the results of the year, honor retired employees who have made a significant contribution to the development of the service.

Ceremonial meetings are held in central and regional units, where honored employees receive awards, commendations and official rewards for diligent service. Also on this day in different cities are held commemorative meetings, laying wreaths and flowers at memorials in honor of counterintelligence heroes who died in the line of duty.

Congratulations on Military Counterintelligence Day

On this day, congratulations are accepted by employees of military counterintelligence. Their work is invisible due to high secrecy, but its importance for national security is difficult to overestimate. It is also customary to congratulate veterans who dedicated their lives to serving in the military counterintelligence agencies and largely shaped the traditions and methods of its work.

Congratulations on Military Counterintelligence Day are usually of a formal and restrained nature, taking into account the specifics of the work of the service. They include gratitude for dedication, defense of the interests of the state and fidelity to military duty. Here are some examples:

A matter of honor: Putin awarded Heroes of Russia with the Gold Star medal

Who was awarded the insignia and whom the president called the true elite of the country

"Dear employees and veterans of military counterintelligence! Please accept my sincere congratulations. Your work is the most important element in protecting the interests of the Motherland. May your efforts always lead to successful results, and your professional path be filled with successes and victories."

"We congratulate you on the Day of Military Counterintelligence! May every step be firm, decisions be correct, and the defense of the Motherland be successful. We wish you strong nerves, good luck and fortitude!".

"Dear veterans of military counterintelligence! On this significant day, we express our deep gratitude for your invaluable contribution to the defense of the Motherland. Your knowledge and experience are the basis of today's achievements of the service!".

Earlier "Izvestia" told about the history and traditions of the Day of the Strategic Missile Forces in Russia.