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Russia misslemen, artillerymen mark their professional holiday Monday

Seventy years ago, on November 19, 1942, a vigorous artillery preparation ushered in the Soviet troops' counteroffensive near Stalingrad

MOSCOW, November 19 (Itar-Tass) — The servicemen of the rocket trops and artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation mark their professional holiday on Monday.

Seventy years ago, on November 19, 1942, a vigorous artillery preparation ushered in the Soviet troops' counteroffensive near Stalingrad. Since 1964, a Day of Rocket Troops and Artillery has been marked on this day.

In the years of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-'45, 1,885 artillerymen became Heroes of the Soviet Union, and more than a million were awarded orders and medals.

Nowadays, rocket troops and artillery units and subunits are part of the armed services and branches of service of the Armed Forces of Russia and of other security-related organizations. The Land Forces, coastal troops of the Navy, airborne troops, Interior Ministry troops have their own artillery. Mortar units are also available with the troops of the Federal Security Service of Russia.

This arm of Land Forces consists of rocket, jet projectile, and artillery brigades, including combined ones, high-powered artillery battalions, rocket-assisted artillery regiments and separate reconnaissance battalions, as well the artillery of all-arms brigades and military bases.

In 2013, artillerymen are in for an intensive combat training. Battery, battalion and brigade field firing practice has been plannned out. Various inter-service exercises involving the artillery of districts, are to be held as well.

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