Ahead of Sunday’s Defender of the Fatherland Day in Russia, the 102nd Russian Military Base in Gyumri, Armenia, on Saturday opened its “doors” before the Armenian veterans of the Great Patriotic War in World War II, schoolchildren, and special guests (Photos).    

The official guests included Russian Ambassador to Armenia, Ivan Volinkin; Armenian-Russian Joint Military Commander, Lieutenant General Mikayel Grigoryan; and Governor Feliks Tsolakyan of Shirak Region.     

The guests were shown the military equipment of the base. 

Lieutenant General Grigoryan conveyed the congratulatory messages by Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan and Chief of the Armenian Armed Forces General Staff, Colonel General Yuri Khachaturov. 

A concert also was held for the guests. 

Before the concert, however, awards were presented and military titles were bestowed.