🏒 December 22 marks the birthday of ice hockey in Russia.

#OTD in 1946, matches of the USSR Championship were held for the first time, marking the starting point in the history of Soviet ice hockey.

🏆 The first World Championship for our country, held in 1954 in Stockholm, ended with a decisive victory over the Canadian team in the final match. Soviet hockey players became world champions from the first attempt.

In 1956, the USSR national team became champion at the VII Winter Olympic Games, which were its Olympic debut. The team won all of its matches, claiming the gold medals.

☝️ Since then, the USSR national team has been the only one in the world that has never returned from World Championships or Olympic Games without winning medals. The Soviet team earned 7 gold medals at the Winter Olympic Games, one silver and one bronze medal, and 22 World Championship noscripts (participating 34 times). Soviet players finished as World Championship silver medalists 7 times and bronze medalists 5 times.

🇷🇺 Today, Russia is among the world’s leading ice hockey powers, and Russian players compete in the National Hockey League, where they are considered some of the league’s best.

In its history, the Russian national team has won the World Championship five times, including undefeated tournament runs in 2012 and 2014. Other major achievements include the victory of Russian hockey team at the 2018 Olympic Games.

#History
#Hockey

🎄 On December 23-25, New Year celebrations were held at the Russian Embassy in India for kindergarten children and students of the Alexander Kadakin School of the diplomatic mission.

Together with their parents, the young guests enjoyed heartwarming performances based on Russian fairy tales, took part in exciting games, and joined the traditional circle dance around the Christmas tree.

🎅 As part of the festive program, Ded Moroz and Snegurochka congratulated the children and presented them New Year gifts.

#NewYear
#NewYear2026