January 21 is the Day of the Russian Engineering Troops: history, traditions, congratulations

Every year on January 21, Russia celebrates the Day of Engineering Troops, a professional holiday for specialists responsible for clearing mines, establishing crossings, erecting defensive structures and eliminating the consequences of man—made and natural disasters. In 2026, the date falls on Wednesday. Read about the history and traditions of the celebration in the Izvestia article.

Day of the Russian Engineering Troops – 2026: the history of the holiday

The professional holiday of the engineering troops was established by decree of the President of Russia on September 18, 1996 as a sign of respect for their contribution to strengthening the country's defense capability, and in 2006 it was included in the list of professional holidays and memorable days in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

The holiday date was not chosen by chance. On January 21 (January 10, Old Style), 1701, Peter the Great ordered the creation of the Pushkin School in Moscow, the first specialized educational institution in the country where artillery officers and military engineers were trained.

It was from the walls of this educational institution that the first mining and pontoon teams of the regular army emerged, and already in 1712, the first independent regiment of military engineers was formed on their basis. Realizing the key importance of engineering support for troops, Peter the Great added engineering ranks to the Table of Ranks and placed them above cavalry and infantry officers, emphasizing that military engineers require not only personal courage, but also serious specialized knowledge.

In the 1720s, engineering education continued to develop, the Moscow and St. Petersburg schools were merged into a single engineering school in St. Petersburg, and in the 1750s, the outstanding military engineer Abram Hannibal, Alexander Pushkin's great-grandfather, became its curator.

In the 19th century, engineering units were no longer considered as an auxiliary to artillery and were formed into a separate branch of the armed forces. Military engineers participated in almost all significant military campaigns of the Russian Empire: the Patriotic War of 1812, the Russo-Turkish Wars, and the Crimean War. Since the second half of the century, new technical areas have gradually been attributed to the engineering forces — railway, electrical engineering, and automotive units. As a result, by 1917, engineering troops accounted for about 6% of the total strength of the army.

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After the October Revolution, the role of military engineers only increased, they became one of the pillars of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (Red Army). Their structure included sapper and pontoon units, electrical engineering and automotive units, as well as formations responsible for camouflage and other types of engineering support. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the importance of these specialists had grown significantly, in 1941-1942, ten separate sapper armies were formed as part of the Red Army, which were later reorganized into brigades.

During the war, more than 100,000 servicemen of this branch of the armed forces were awarded orders and medals, 655 soldiers and officers were awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union, and many engineering units received honorary Guards titles.

Today, the Russian Engineering Forces remain one of the key and most sought-after components of the Armed Forces. They are entrusted with a wide range of tasks — conducting engineering reconnaissance, building and maintaining fortifications, setting up and maintaining trenches, shelters and other protective facilities, setting up minefields and clearing the terrain, preparing and arranging troop routes, guiding and operating crossings over water barriers, providing camouflage for units and military equipment..

In peacetime, military engineers participate in the elimination of the consequences of natural disasters and man-made accidents, carry out mine clearance of territories both inside and outside the country, returning residential areas, agricultural lands and other facilities to a safe life.

Traditions of celebrating the Day of the Russian Engineering Troops

In honor of the holiday, solemn constructions and reviews are held in engineering units. The command summarizes the results of combat and training for the year, awards distinguished military personnel with state and departmental awards, regular ranks and promotions. Congratulations to the personnel include words of gratitude from the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and district commanders.

Military museums and specialized educational institutions are preparing thematic expositions and lectures on the history of the engineering troops, their role in major wars and modern operations. The Military Engineering Academy, Suvorov and Cadet corps host "lessons of courage", meetings with veterans, and demonstrations of modern technology and robotic mine clearance systems.

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Commemorative events and flower-laying events are organized in the regions. The media recall the most famous exploits of sappers and bridge builders, and tell about the work of engineering troops in peacetime.

Congratulations on the Day of the Russian Engineering Troops

On the Day of the Russian Engineering Forces, congratulations are addressed to active military personnel, combat veterans and reserve specialists, officers and teachers of specialized universities and departments, civilian personnel, scientists and designers working on engineering weapons and equipment. Izvestia has prepared several examples of how this can be done.:

"Congratulations on the Day of the Engineering Troops of Russia! May your every day be built as competently as your fortifications, and any problem be solved elegantly and simply. We wish that the risk of your profession is always balanced by recognition, respect and a sense of self-importance!"

"Dear military engineers, happy professional holiday! You're paving roads where it's almost impossible to walk. May your bridges always withstand any load, the crossings last a long time, and every piece of land cleared of danger becomes a symbol of returning peaceful life!"

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"Congratulations on the Day of the Engineering Troops! You are the ones who prepare the space for future victories. Let order, precision and precision reign in your work. We wish you quiet duty, clear commands, reliable equipment and a strong rear in the person of your family and friends!"

"Dear military engineers, thank you for keeping under control on a daily basis what others see as chaos and danger. Let your calculations, communication and team never let you down, and your talent finds application not only in service, but also in peaceful life — in your home, family, hobbies and plans for the future. Happy professional holiday!"

"Congratulations on the Day of the Engineering Troops! May your service have more planned tasks than emergency calls, more training alarms than real ones, and if you have to work to the limit, then only with a result that you can be proud of for the rest of your life!"

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of celebrating the Day of the creation of the Investigative Committee of Russia.