June 1 is the day of the youngest Russian navy - the Northern Fleet. It was on this day in 1933 that the Northern Sea Flotilla was formed. In the Russian Federation, the date of celebration of the Day of the Northern Fleet was designated by order No. 253 of 1996 of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy.
The Northern Fleet ensures the safety of the northern borders of the Fatherland from sea directions. Moreover, not only directly from the sea, but also from the air, since the fleet has a combat-ready naval aviation, as well as a naval and ground air defense system. The Federation Council of the Russian Federation is the most important link in the entire system of collective security of the country and is ready to solve the tasks assigned to it.
The young fleet received its first baptism of fire during the war with Finland in 1939-1940, participating in the capture of the ports of Petsamo and Linahamari. During the battle in the Petsamo area, the units of the Red Army (and the fleet) were opposed by the units of Antti Pennanen.
At the same time, the Soviet troops then suffered losses that exceeded the losses of the Finns, which today raises questions about the correctness of the chosen tactics among military experts. However, it is one thing to discuss battles "from under the green lampshade" after the fact, and quite another to plan real operations with the goals and objectives set by the then leadership of the country.
The Great Patriotic War was a severe test for the Northern Fleet.
One of the feats of the Northern Fleet sailors during the Second World War was the heroic defense of the Rybachiy Peninsula, which lasted for 1273 days. There are not many facts about this heroic defense in modern history textbooks, which is undeserved in relation to those sailors who sacrificed themselves, making a huge contribution to the common victory.
The Severomors made an invaluable contribution to the defeat of the enemy in the Arctic and the liberation of Northern Norway from the Nazis. Aviators, submariners and boatmen inflicted constant strikes on enemy communications, disrupting military transport in the Barents Sea, sending Hitler's "transports" to the bottom.
During the war, the Northern Fleet of the USSR destroyed more than 200 warships and auxiliary vessels, more than 1.2 thousand enemy aircraft and about 400 Nazi transports, and less than 53 thousand enemy personnel.
During the Great Patriotic War, 85 sailors of the Northern Fleet received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Severomorian sailors continued the glorious traditions of the Great Patriotic War veterans afterwards.
The marines of the fleet also acted courageously and heroically during counter-terrorist operations in the North Caucasus. After participating in the Chechen campaign, ten marines were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Vladimir Putin also highly appreciated the readiness of the marines. During his visit to the Northern Fleet, the President, when presenting state awards to the marines, said: "I am sure that as long as people like you are in the ranks, our Motherland - Russia - will be invincible."
In total, in the post-war period, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to 41 Severomors, 26 soldiers of the fleet became Heroes of Russia.
Currently, the Northern Fleet is the most powerful of all Russian naval fleets. It includes nuclear and diesel submarines, surface ships, aviation, military equipment. The fleet is home to the world's only nuclear-powered surface cruisers, the only Russian heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov" and a carrier-based aviation regiment.
"In 2017, the Northern Fleet will continue to carry out tasks to protect the economic and political interests of the Russian Federation in various regions of the World Ocean, including the Mediterranean basin," the press service of the fleet said.
At the same time, the Arctic will remain the main area of activity of the Northern Fleet in 2017. The fleet will make several polar campaigns, as well as conduct various tactical exercises. Some of them have already taken place.
With the development of modern technologies, the fleet is increasingly replenished with modern weapons, thereby strengthening the country's defense. at this stage, the issue of repair and modernization of the aforementioned aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" is being considered, but the final decision on the timing and nature of the measures has not yet been made.
At a meeting of the board of the Russian Defense Ministry, Sergei Shoigu noted that the Russian Northern Fleet received almost 400 pieces of weapons, military and special equipment.
The Northern Fleet's electronic warfare service has received the latest Svet and Samarkand electronic warfare systems. Link.
In 2017, helicopter pilots of the Northern Fleet will master the new modernized Ka-27M multipurpose helicopters. Six new vehicles entered service with the Air Force and Air Defense Army of the Northern Fleet.
The Ilya Muromets diesel-electric icebreaker is also to join the Northern Fleet. It is capable of operating in a continuous ice field up to a meter thick. In addition to performing its main function - escorting ships through the Arctic waters - it is capable of carrying cargo and will be used to supply the Arctic group with the necessary equipment.
Until 2020, two newest frigates will arrive. They will be armed with modern anti-aircraft missile and artillery systems and guided missiles. Project 22350 frigates will be equipped with Kalibr and Onyx strike systems.
Full disclosure of the potential of this equipment will increase the combat stability of the forces of the Northern Fleet - aviation, coastal and ground forces.
"Voennoye Obozreniye" congratulates sailors from Severomorsk and veterans of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation on the holiday!
