Defender of the Fatherland Day (Kazakh: Отан Қорғаушы күні, Otan Qorğauşy künı) is a national holiday celebrated annually on May 7, commemorating the founding of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan.

[4][5] National celebrations are usually led by the President of Kazakhstan, the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff.

340 veterans with the Battle Banners of military units that served in the Red Army marched in the column, as well as parade crews of 3,500 servicemen.

[19][20][21] Noting the timing of the parade with the anniversary, President Nazarbayev said that it "shows the continuity of military traditions between the World War II winners and the current generation of defenders of our land.

An exact copy of the Victory Banner, was delivered to Astana from the Museum of Great Patriotic War in Moscow.

It consisted of two parts – historic and contemporary, with the former being represented by troops depicting Kazakh field units of the Red Army, including the 72nd Guards Rifle Division that was raised in Akmolinsk (now Astana) in 1942.

[30] President Nazarbayev announced the creation of a new branch of the armed forces designed to combat cyber threats.