As Emperor Alexander III said, in the whole world Russia has only two loyal allies - our army and navy. This statement of his is true today. Today, July 30, our country celebrates the Day of the Navy. This holiday is celebrated in Russia every year on the last Sunday of July.
In the Soviet period of history, this professional holiday was established by the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR and the Central Committee of the VKPb of June 22, 1939 and was celebrated every year on July 24. It was postponed to the last Sunday of July by the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR from October 1, 1980, since then the date of the celebration has not changed. Day of the Navy is one of the most beloved holidays in the country, so it was during the Soviet era, and it remains so in modern Russia. Navy Day is Russia's memory of naval glory.
Today Russia is a great maritime power, but this was not always the case. The country won the right to be called that way thanks to the exploits of our ancestors and the brilliant naval victories that gained the unfading glory of Russia and its navy. Nowadays, the Navy is the real pride of the country, our fleet has a heroic history and glorious combat traditions. At the same time, service in the navy at all times was considered prestigious, therefore, real naval dynasties were formed in our country over the generations.
The creation of a regular fleet in Russia was due to the need to overcome the territorial, political and cultural isolation of the country, which at the turn of the 17th-18th centuries was the main obstacle to the social and economic development of the state. The first Russian sailing warship of the Western European type - the frigate "Eagle" - was built during the reign of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, it was launched in 1668. The ship, built according to the Dutch project, received its name in honor of the Russian state emblem.
At the same time, only in October 1696, by the decision of the Boyar Duma, the creation of the Russian fleet was legislatively determined and the beginning of its construction was laid. "There will be sea vessels!" - such was the will of the young Russian Tsar Peter I and his closest associates. All of them were aware that without the fleet our state would not be able to take new steps in its development. As a result, the construction of ships of all classes began at shipyards located in various Russian regions. By the spring of 1700, 40 sailing and 113 rowing ships were launched. The Azov fleet was constantly replenished with new ships. Having solved the southern problem, Peter I focused on ensuring Russia's access to the Baltic coast. He managed to successfully solve this problem during the long Northern War with the Swedes (1700-1721). Since then, the Russian fleet has repeatedly proved its effectiveness, and Russian sailors have passed with honor all the military conflicts that fell to their lot.
Today, the Russian Navy, being one of the branches of the RF Armed Forces, is designed to protect the country's interests around the world, as well as its maritime borders. The Russian fleet is capable of delivering nuclear strikes against enemy ground targets, destroying enemy fleet groupings in bases and at sea, protecting sea traffic, assisting ground forces in operations on land, landing amphibious assault forces and solving a large number of other tasks. The Russian Navy today includes surface and submarine ships, naval aviation and coastal forces of the fleet (marines, coastal defense units), as well as special purpose units and units, logistic services. The operational-strategic formations of the Russian Navy are today: the Northern, Baltic, Black Sea and Pacific fleets, as well as the Caspian Flotilla.
For the first time in modern history, the Navy Day will be celebrated with the main naval parade in St. Petersburg and Kronstadt. The main naval parade will take place in the historical part of St. Petersburg. The traditional festive events for this day will also take place at the main naval bases of the country - in Baltiysk, Astrakhan, Vladivostok, Severomorsk, as well as at the bases of the naval forces. In total, about 200 ships, boats and support vessels will take part in them. At the same time, residents and guests of St. Petersburg and Kronstadt on July 30 will be able to see at the parade more than 60 modern combat surface and submarine ships of various classes and ranks, as well as 40 naval aircraft and even the "grandfather of the Russian fleet" - the famous boat of Peter I. Po According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Vladimir Korolev, if earlier ships were lined up in a parade line, moored in the channel of the Neva, now at the main naval parade they will pass at a given speed in the wake formation.
“Even the sight of a warship in progress is often breathtaking; the parade will definitely be spectacular and dynamic,” the admiral noted. Vladimir Korolev explained that warships will pass along the Neva in parade formation, and a group of naval aviation will fly over the Senate Square in St. Petersburg, and at the Kronstadt roadstead everyone will be able to see the parade line of warships and submarines.
It is already known that all the officers and warrant officers of the parade participants will be dressed in uniforms of a new sample of white. For sailors and foremen serving on conscription, the dress uniform has hardly changed since the days of the Russian Imperial Navy. The Russian Ministry of Defense also took care of honoring the parade participants with a new award: by order of the Minister of Defense dated May 17, 2017, a commemorative medal "For participation in the Main Naval Parade" was established. After the end of the parade, all interested Petersburgers and guests of the city will be able to visit the warships and boats of the Russian fleet specially prepared for excursions.
On Navy Day, the "Military Review" team congratulates everyone who is guarding the sea borders of our country, who have devoted years of their lives to serving in the Navy and ensuring the combat readiness of ships and units of the Russian Navy, as well as family members of military personnel, employees and workers of naval institutions and enterprises, naval veterans.
