Russian airborne troops to build up combat potential to address new threats and challenges

New threats and challenges of Russia’s security require a buildup of combat potential of the country’s airborne troops, Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoigu said on Friday.

"The country’s leaders and the defense ministry are sparing no effort to further build up combat potential of the airborne troops. It is a necessary measure stemming from the international military and political situation, new threats and challenges to our state," Shoigu said at a gala party on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of Russia’s airborne troops.

The minister thanked Russia’s paratroopers for their courage and heroism. Their merits to the fatherlands will never be forgotten, he stressed.
"It is a great honor for us to have such attention from the country’s leadership and the army command we have always enjoyed," Vladimir Shamanov, the commander of Russia’s airborne troops, said. "Over a short span of time, the airborne troops have made a real spurt to take a worthy place in our armed forces."

The Airborne Troops Day is traditionally marked in Russia on August 2. On that day in 1930, a team of 12 paratroopers were for the first time parachuted during military exercises near the city of Voronezh in southern Russia. Now, the strength of Russia’s airborne troops stands at about 45,000 men.