Surkov congratulated the defenders of Donbass on February 23 and proposed a toast to Trotsky
Assistant to the President of Russia Vladislav Surkov congratulated the defenders of Donbass on the holiday of February 23, and also spoke about his service in intelligence abroad.
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"First of all, happiness and good luck to all the defenders of Donbas. You've got everything for real there. It's real military work. True heroism. May God grant you happiness that's as genuine and complete," Surkov said in an interview with the Donetsk News Agency.
He shared his memories of serving in the army.
“I served in a separate reconnaissance battalion in Hungary. We asked to go to Afghanistan with our colleagues, and even wrote a report. The company commander called and said, there is no need, we must serve where we were sent. And they sent you, he says, you know where. So they served peacefully in the Southern Group of Forces,” said the aide to the President of the Russian Federation.
Surkov called military service “useful.”
“It was useful. Lots of time outdoors. We ran a lot, walked a lot, shot a lot. Before the army, I never held anything heavier than a beer mug in my hands. And here is a machine gun, a grenade launcher, zinc with cartridges and terribly uncomfortable handles. It’s a completely different matter,” he noted.
Surkov admitted that there was hazing during his service.
“Now I will say that this is illegal. And then it was perceived as an absolutely natural thing: if thirty boys were locked in one room for a long time, then how could it be different? ... It’s not customary to talk about this to those who haven’t gone through it themselves. But believe me, I have the kindest memories from my military service. This is a happy time,” he says.
Surkov also told how he would celebrate today's holiday.
"As usual. We will gather in the evening with friends who managed to serve in the Soviet Army. We get together every year. Let's talk. Those who served then have a lot in common. The military service, although it lasted only two years, had a very strong influence on each of us...
"Let's drink to our mighty army, let's drink to the valiant navy" ( lyrics from the song "Volkhov Drinking Song" – DAN note ). But just a little. So as not to lose our combat effectiveness. I don't rule out a toast to the founder of the Red Army, Leon Trotsky. Today marks the Red Army's centenary. It would be a sin not to remember him. His achievements are no less obvious than his mistakes, which for some reason are more often discussed," the presidential aide noted.
Surkov congratulated the defenders of Donbass on February 23 and proposed a toast to Trotsky.