November 5 — Military Intelligence Officer's Day: history, traditions, congratulations

In Russia, Military Intelligence Officer Day is celebrated on November 5, a professional holiday for employees of one of the most secret and elite structures, whose work often remains invisible, but is necessary to ensure the security of the state. In 2025, the date falls on Wednesday. For most, work requires the highest level of professionalism, composure, and self-sacrifice. Izvestia tells about the history, traditions of the Day of the military intelligence officer and how to congratulate on a professional holiday.

Military Intelligence Officer's Day — the history of the holiday

The official status of Military Intelligence Day has been acquired relatively recently. The holiday was established in 2006 by presidential decree "On the establishment of professional holidays and commemorative days in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation." However, the date of November 5 was not chosen by chance — it has deep historical roots.

It was on this day, November 5, 1918, that the Registration Department (Registrupr) was established as part of the Field Headquarters of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army in Petrograd. This structure became the first centralized body coordinating the intelligence work of all fronts and armies.

The creation of the Register marked the beginning of the military intelligence system in its modern sense and is considered the birthday of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

The profession of a military intelligence officer and its significance

The history of Russian military intelligence goes back more than a decade. Back in the era of Kievan Rus, the princes sent scouts to the enemy camp to provide strategic information. Under Ivan the Terrible, an Embassy Order was created in 1549, which, in addition to diplomacy, accumulated political and military information about neighboring states.

Military intelligence acquired a systematic character under Peter I. His Military Charter of 1716 for the first time legislated the foundations of intelligence activities. The Institute of intelligence received further development in the 19th century: under Alexander I, an Expedition of Secret Affairs was created, and later a Special Office under the Minister of War, engaged in strategic and operational work.

The importance of military intelligence cannot be overestimated. It is thanks to the information obtained by intelligence officers that key decisions are made at the state level, and the security of the country and its citizens is ensured.

Throughout history, almost 750 military intelligence officers have been awarded the titles of Hero of the Soviet Union and Hero of the Russian Federation, and thousands have been awarded orders and medals.

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What does military intelligence do?

Military intelligence is a complex, multi—level system that solves a wide range of tasks. Its purpose is to provide the command with timely and reliable information for making important decisions in the field of defense and security. The main tasks of military intelligence include:

• collecting data on the combat strength of the enemy's forces, their current position, and the state of the troops;
• clarifying the nature of the enemy's actions and intentions;
• identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent;
• identification of the extent and nature of the engineering equipment, areas and positions occupied by the enemy, and the barrier system;
• collecting information about new means of struggle and methods of action in combat.

According to its functions, intelligence is divided into intelligence, satellite (or aerial), radio-electronic (RER) and military-diplomatic, which makes the system flexible and comprehensive.

The most famous scouts

The names of many intelligence officers are well known to ordinary citizens from numerous "spy" novels and films, becoming symbols of courage, dedication and the highest professionalism. Among them, we can highlight:

• Richard Sorge, a Soviet intelligence officer who worked in militaristic Japan under the guise of a German journalist, it was his group that transmitted to Moscow the exact date of the outbreak of war with Germany.;
• Jan Chernyak — he managed to deploy one of the largest spy networks in Germany, called Krona;
• Nikolai Kuznetsov, a legendary spy and saboteur who operated in occupied Rivne, seized dozens of top—secret documents, and personally eliminated 11 German generals and top fascist leaders.;
• Alexei Botyan is a Soviet intelligence officer and state security colonel who served as the prototype of the main character of the film "Major Whirlwind" based on the novel of the same name by Julian Semenov.;
• Igor Sergun, Head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces in 2011-2016, participated in the planning and implementation of the operation to ensure the security of the Crimean referendum, which later led to the annexation of Crimea to Russia in March 2014.

Traditions of the Day of the military intelligence officer in Russia

Today, the holiday is celebrated by military personnel and veterans of intelligence units, cadets and teachers of specialized universities of the Ministry of Defense, as well as families and relatives of intelligence officers.

Despite the closeness of the profession, the Day of the military intelligence officer is widely celebrated in military units and has its own traditions. On this day, words of gratitude from the country's leadership are heard, award ceremonies and meetings are held with veterans who share their experiences with the younger generation and remember their service.

Military units and specialized educational institutions, such as the Academy of the General Staff and the Combined Arms Academy of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, organize solemn meetings, lessons of courage and festive concerts. Military personnel and veterans lay flowers at the monuments to the scout heroes and memorials dedicated to their exploits.

According to tradition, in 2025, Russian President, Supreme Commander Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Andrei Belousov congratulated military intelligence officers. In their speeches, they emphasized the crucial role of intelligence in ensuring the country's security, noting the professionalism, composure and courage of the personnel in countering external and internal threats, as well as protecting the national interests of the state.

How to wish a happy November 5th holiday

When congratulating military intelligence officers on their professional holiday, they usually wish them good health, iron endurance, impeccable intuition, successful completion of the most difficult tasks and, of course, well-being in a family that is a reliable home front. Warm words are spoken not only to current employees, but also to those who laid the foundations of the service. Here are some examples of congratulations:

"Dear military intelligence officers and service veterans! Congratulations on the Military Intelligence Officer's Day! You are the elite of the Armed Forces, people of special training and indomitable will. Your work requires incredible endurance, the ability to instantly analyze and make life-changing decisions. We wish that not a single obstacle escapes your gaze, and that each mission is successful, strengthening the defense capability of our country!"

"Please accept my most sincere congratulations on the Day of the Military intelligence Officer! Your work is the standard of loyalty to the oath and selfless devotion to the Motherland. Let your intuition never fail, and your training and courage help you find the right solutions. I wish you good health, inexhaustible energy and confidence in the future. May your every step be right, and loving people are always waiting at home!"

"On the Day of the Military intelligence Officer, I would like to express my deepest respect to all those who stand guard over our country. You are the ones who act in silence, but whose results resound throughout the world, ensuring our safety. May every operation end successfully, and the intelligence will always be accurate and timely. I wish that the technique never failed, and the calculations were always impeccable!"

"Congratulations on your professional holiday — Military Intelligence Officer Day! Your life is an example of courage, dedication and fortitude. You are standing on an invisible front, protecting the peaceful sleep of our citizens. I wish you luck in all situations! Let the combat experience come without losses, and in life there will be a place not only for service, but also for simple human joys!"

"On the Day of the Military intelligence Officer, please accept my warmest words of gratitude and appreciation. Your service is the art of foresight, strategy, and subtle calculation. You are the eyes of the army, the foundation of its power and invincibility. I wish that your sharp mind always foresaw danger, crushing the enemy, and that your services to the Motherland were appreciated. Thank you for your inconspicuous but important work!"

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the Day of the Military Signalman, which was celebrated in Russia at the end of October.