The Day of the Russian Navy (День Военно-Морского Флота) is not only the biggest gala of the Russian fleet, but usually is recognized as the second largest military holiday in Russia (after the Victory Day on 9th May) with a traditional fleet review on Neva river and several additional events organized thorough the country.
The Navy Day is celebrated every year, on the last Sunday of July. This year, it will be also marked by the 325th anniversary of the Russian Navy.
That military holiday originates from the celebrations as old as the 17th century, its modern version was established in 1939 and set at the date of 24th July. In 1980 the Soviet Union authorities decided to change it for the last Sunday of the month and this date was also confirmed after the collapse of the Soviet Union, by the presidential decree from 2006.
Since 2017, the main Naval Parade and central ceremonies are held in Saint Petersburg. They usually include an official Full Dress ceremony, following the nautical flag etiquette, receptions, concerts, sport competitions and parades – organized by particular Russian fleets: Pacific, Northern, Baltic, Black Sea and Caspian Flotilla. Many ships open their doors for general public and the holiday is usually concluded with some fireworks.
A few weeks ago, the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoygu announced that this year´s parade is going to be the largest and most spectacular one in years. A total of fifty four ships should be presented in Saint Petersburg, including frigates from India, Iran and Pakistan. The Russian Navy already disclosed that three nuclear-powered submarines are ready to participate in the parade – ´Knyaz Vladimir´ (Князь Владимир) ballistic missile submarine, ´Orel´ (Орел) nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine and ´Vepr´ (Вепрь) attack submarine.
In addition, there will be a usual flypast of naval aviation, a presentation of sailing ships and a boat of FSB border guard. More than 4,000 of military personnel is expected to participate in the 2021 edition of the Navy Day in the ´northern capital´ of Russia.
Additional events to celebrate the 325th anniversary of the Russian Navy will be organized in Severomorsk, Baltiysk, Sevastopol, Kaspiysk, Vladivostok and Tartus, the Russian naval base in Syria.
The Russian MoD already informed that a total of forty eight aeroplanes and helicopters should participate in the aviation part of the main parade.
According to the press service of the Western Military District, following aircraft are expected over the ´northern capital´ during the Day of the Russian Navy: MiG-31, Su-30SM, Su-27, Su-33 and MiG-29K fighters, Su-24M reconnaissance aircraft, Su-25 close-support jet, Be-200 and Be-12 amphibious aeroplanes, Il-38N and Tu-142M3 anti-submarine aircraft, Tu-134UBL ´Black Pearl´, Tu-154, An-72 and An-26 transport aircraft, as well as Mi-8, Ka-27M, Ka-29, Ka-31 and Ka-52K helicopters.
Naval aviation of Baltic, Northern, Black Sea and Pacific Fleets, supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces, will participate in celebrations on 25th July. The abovementioned aircraft are already based at several airfields located in Saint Petersburg vicinity, Khotilovo in Tver region and in Karelia.
In the early morning hours of 13th July, the naval component performed its first training for the parade. It was followed by two consecutive aviation trainings that included flypast over Saint Petersburg, organized on 14th and 15th July.
All photos © Russian MoD (Министерство обороны Российской Федерации), used under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. MoD press information were used.
