An unusual “Battle Sledge” festival was held in Moscow, Russia on Friday to mark Defender of the Fatherland Day. /VCG Photo

Enthusiastic participants brought their well-decorated sledges to compete for the best designed sledge. /VCG Photo

Participants, dressed up in costumes, ride down a 200-meter-long slope in their homemade sledges in front of cheering crowds. /VCG Photo

Defender of the Fatherland Day is a holiday observed in Russia and a number of former Soviet states that celebrates military servicemen, but officially, it has become a celebration of men as a whole. /VCG Photo