ISS astronauts congratulate Russians on Defender of the Fatherland Day

Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) addressed Russian servicemen with congratulations in honor of their professional holiday - Defender of the Fatherland Day.

"Dear friends, today we celebrate Defender of the Fatherland Day and congratulate all those who have chosen for themselves the path of serving the Motherland, protecting its borders and interests," the cosmonauts began their solemn speech.

The address points to the professionalism, bravery, selflessness and fortitude of the Russian military.

"Our defenders are tirelessly serving so that we can sleep, live and work in peace. So that our country continues to develop and strengthen," they said.

The cosmonauts reminded that today all these best qualities are manifested on the battlefields.

"On this day we thank everyone who decided to stand up in defense of our country. We congratulate all servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on the holiday. We wish you good health, success and return home with victory. You are true heroes," the cosmonauts concluded their congratulations.

Defender of the Fatherland Day on February 23: history, day off, congratulations

How Russia will celebrate the professional holiday of servicemen

Every year on February 23, Russia celebrates an important public holiday - Defender of the Fatherland Day. Earlier "Izvestia" prepared beautiful cards and congratulations on the coming holiday, which can be shared with the real defenders. Last year, a crew of Russian cosmonauts consisting of Sergey Prokopyev, Dmitry Petelin addressed Russians from the ISS.