Airborne Forces Day: Why Do VDV Paratroopers Swim in Fountains?
The Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) celebrate their birthday every year on August 2. No other branch of the military celebrates its founding day as loudly as the VDV. One of the most famous traditions is swimming in city fountains, and there is a popular legend explaining why.
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The idea of creating special military units that could quickly move by air was first promoted by Mikhail Tukhachevsky in 1928. At that time, the plan only included troops landing from aircraft after landing. Parachutes were seen mainly as emergency equipment for pilots.
The first military operation involving soldiers transported by aircraft took place in 1929. Near the village of Garm, in what is now Tajikistan, Red Army troops, with help from local people, defeated a group of Basmachi fighters.
The First Parachute Jump
The official birthday of the Soviet Airborne Forces is August 2, 1930.
On that day, during military exercises near Voronezh, twelve soldiers made the first parachute jump as an airborne unit.
The paratroopers jumped from a Farman Goliath aircraft through its open side door. Since the airplane could carry only seven people, the jump was made in two groups.
The first permanent airborne unit was created in 1931 with 164 soldiers. In 1932, the Soviet Revolutionary Military Council officially approved the creation of the Airborne Forces.
General Vasily Margelov
The man most often called the father of the VDV is General Vasily Margelov, who became commander in 1950.
At that time, the Airborne Forces were not very popular. Many people joked that VDV meant "You Probably Won't Come Home."
Margelov completely changed the Airborne Forces. Under his leadership, the VDV became one of the most respected branches of the Soviet military.
He introduced the famous blue-and-white telnyashka and the beret. At first, the beret was crimson, but it was later changed to blue, because the color of the sky was seen as a better symbol for airborne troops.
Since the 1970s, many soldiers have jokingly said that VDV stands for "Uncle Vasya's Troops," using Margelov's popular nickname.
The VDV Today
Today, the Russian Airborne Forces include four divisions, four separate brigades, and one regiment.
The VDV was one of the first branches of the Russian military to move toward a professional contract-based force. In 2003, the 76th Guards Air Assault Division became one of the first major airborne units organized this way.
The VDV has three main combat branches:
- Air Assault
- Airborne
- Mountain Air Assault
Every airborne division also has its own drone units.
According to unofficial Russian Ministry of Defense information from 2015, the VDV had about 45,000 soldiers. Foreign estimates placed the number at around 36,000.
The Airborne Forces use both standard military equipment and vehicles designed especially for airborne operations. The best-known examples are the BMD-1 and BMD-2M airborne fighting vehicles. They can be transported by aircraft and deployed by parachute.
The VDV is known for two famous mottos:
- "Nobody But Us."
- "Where We Are, There Is Victory."
The patron saint of the Airborne Forces is Saint Elijah.
Airborne Forces Day Traditions
The Siberian Union of Paratroopers once published a humorous guide explaining how VDV veterans should celebrate Airborne Forces Day.
The guide says that paratroopers should never:
- Get drunk in public.
- Start fights or cause trouble.
- Dive into unknown water.
- Do anything that would disgrace the VDV.
It also says:
"A real paratrooper never brings shame to the Airborne Forces. He does not wear dirty telnyashka shirts or cheap medals bought at a market. He does not get drunk, behave badly, or disturb other people."
The guide even suggests the correct order for toasts:
- To the VDV.
- To the commanders.
- To those who are no longer with us.
- To our parents.
- To our comrades.
The celebration traditionally ends with the famous VDV song "The Blue Sky Has Spread" ("Raspleskalas Sineva").
Why Do Paratroopers Swim in Fountains?
One of the most famous Airborne Forces Day traditions is swimming in public fountains.
The Union of Paratroopers does not object to this tradition, saying that a quick swim can help "wash away accumulated sins."
There are several popular explanations for this custom.
One military legend says that paratroopers see the reflection of the sky in the water and want to feel closer to it.
Another explanation comes from the Afghan War, where many VDV soldiers served in hot, dry areas with very little water. Swimming in fountains later became a symbol of freedom and a reminder of what they missed during their service.
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