Day of Rocket Forces and Artillery of Ukraine: date and history of the holiday, greetings in prose and postcards.

On December 4, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Rocket Forces and Artillery. This branch of the military delivers the biggest blow to the enemy, which is why artillerymen are called 'gods of war'. Rocket forces and artillery play a significant role in strengthening the state's defensive capability and protecting Ukraine, as well as helping to destroy enemies and liberate our lands from the occupiers.

Today is a wonderful opportunity to congratulate those defending our state in the rocket forces. Details about the history of the holiday and interesting ways to congratulate can be found in the material from 'Glavkom'.

When is the Day of Rocket Forces and Artillery of Ukraine celebrated?

Since 1997, Ukraine has celebrated the Day of Rocket Forces and Artillery on November 3, according to the decree of President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma.

«Considering the important role of rocket forces and artillery in strengthening the defensive capability of the state, I decree: to establish a holiday in Ukraine - the Day of Rocket Forces and Artillery, which will be celebrated annually on November 3», - states the decree.

However, this year President Volodymyr Zelensky moved the Day of Rocket Forces and Artillery to December 4, on the Day of Honoring Saint Barbara, at the initiative of the command of the Rocket Forces and Artillery of Ukraine.

«Honoring the courage and heroism of the soldiers of the rocket forces and artillery, manifested in the struggle for freedom, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for the purpose of establishing new military traditions, I decree:

1. Establish in Ukraine the Day of Rocket Forces and Artillery to be celebrated annually on December 4.

2. Recognize as invalid the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated October 31, 1997 No. 1215/97 'On the Day of Rocket Forces and Artillery.'

3. This Decree shall enter into force on the day of its publication», - it was reported on the website of the head of state.

Rocket Forces and Artillery include the following units: rocket complexes, howitzer, cannon, reactive, and anti-tank artillery, as well as artillery reconnaissance, mortar units, and guided anti-tank missiles.

History of establishing the Day of Rocket Forces and Artillery

The holiday originated during the USSR based on the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union dated November 17, 1964, establishing a memorial day on November 19. 

Ukraine began to celebrate this holiday since 1997.

Currently, the Day of Rocket Forces and Artillery is dedicated to the date of November 3, 1943, when during World War II, the operation to liberate Kyiv began.

Since 2014, the artillerymen of Ukraine have participated in repelling Russia's armed aggression and actively resist the occupiers. During the war, soldiers of this military branch have been honored with state awards.

Artillery that is in service with Ukraine

Ukrainian artillery includes brigade artillery composed of separate mechanized, tank, and airmobile brigades, and operational command artillery, which reports to the commander of the operational command.

Among the weapons of formations, units, and subdivisions are:

• Cruise missile rocket complexes: R-360 'Neptune'.
• Multiple launch rocket systems such as 'Tornado', 'Hurricane', 'Grad', 'Willow', Willow-M, Storm, M142 HIMARS, M270, TRLG-230, RM-70, 'Berest', 'Verba'.
• Self-propelled guns and howitzers: 2S19 Msta-S, AHS Krab, M109 Paladin, PzH 2000, 'Dana', Zuzana-2, CAESAR, 2S5 'Hyacinth-S', 'Pion', 'Acacia', 'Gvozdika', 2S22 'Bohdana'.
• Howitzers FH70, M119, M777, 2A65 'Msta-B', D-30, D-20, 122, 152 and 203-mm howitzers, 152-mm guns-howitzers.
• Guns: 2A36 Hyacinth-B; M-46, 85-mm; 100-mm anti-tank guns.
• 82, 120-mm mortars.
• Anti-tank means: 'Sturm', 'Konkurs', MT-12 'Rapira', MT-12R 'Ruta'.

Ukraine has also received precision missile-artillery systems from partner countries, which play an important role in maintaining the country's defensive capability. They helped to destroy a large amount of the enemy's armament during the defense of the Kharkiv direction and the counteroffensive.