
Presidential Regiment celebrates 90 years of service with ceremonial display
Presidential Regiment celebrates 90 years of service with ceremonial display
- The Presidential Regiment serves to secure the Kremlin and protect senior state officials.
- It features both a Cavalry Escort performing mounted displays and a Special Guard Company responsible for guard duties.
- Today marks the regiment's 90th anniversary, highlighting its importance in Russian military tradition.
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The Presidential Regiment of Russia, headquartered inside the Kremlin in Moscow, is celebrating its 90th anniversary today, May 7, 2026. Established in April 1936, the regiment serves as a crucial security force, responsible for protecting senior Russian officials and maintaining the security of the Kremlin compound. It includes the celebrated Cavalry Escort, known for its impressive mounted ceremonial displays held weekly in Cathedral Square. The regiment is also responsible for the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, another significant ceremonial duty that attracts numerous tourists each day. The regiment's history is closely tied to significant military milestones, including its award of the Order of the Red Banner in 1965, which is traditionally recognized as the regiment's birthday. Its role has evolved over the years from being a security unit to becoming a key symbol of Russian heritage and military pageantry. The regiment performed prominently in historical events, including the 1945 Victory Parade in Red Square, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany. Today’s mounted ceremony showcases twelve riders performing synchronized maneuvers atop horses selected exclusively from Russian stud farms. The animals used in the Cavalry Escort are primarily of breeds such as Trakehner, Hanoverian, and various Russian breeds. This elaborate display of equestrian skill and military precision serves not just to honor the tradition of the regiment but also to attract both Russian citizens and international visitors, further cementing its status as one of Moscow's top tourist attractions. As the regiment celebrates this milestone, it reflects both on its storied past and its continuing significance in contemporary Russian state affairs. The regular ceremonial duties performed by the Special Guard Company at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the weekly Cavalry Escort displays demonstrate the regiment's dedication to honoring history while serving its modern protective role for the Russian state.