Putin Visits Paratroopers on Eve of Holiday

President Vladimir Putin visiting the 31st Paratroopers Division near Ulyanovsk on Wednesday. Putin later met with veteran paratroopers and congratulated them a day before national Paratroopers Day.

Putin delivering a speech to assembled paratroopers at an Ulyanovsk military base. The 31st Division, which is based in Ulyanovsk, is famous for its role in freeing the city of Vienna in 1945, for which its servicemen received the Order of Kutuzov, second class.

Putin laying a bouquet of roses on a memorial to paratroopers who died defending their country.

Paratroopers in full uniform, marching in time to music as their president watches on.

Standing under the scorching August sun, paratroopers gather before the next stage of the procession.

A priest spraying holy water on the uniformed division. Paratroopers told a Moscow Times photojournalist that their division is especially devout due to the risks they take in their daily work.

A bust of Vasily Margelov, a respected figure among the 31st Division, who refer to themselves as the "Troops of Uncle Vasya." Margelov played an instrumental role in setting up paratroopers divisions in the postwar Soviet Union.

Paratroopers in full voice, singing a rousing hymn in anticipation of their holiday Thursday.