On May 13 Russia celebrates Day of the Black Sea Fleet. It commemorates the day the fleet was established back in 1783. The Black Sea Fleet has enormous historic and political importance for Russia. Let’s take a look at its glorious history in our photo gallery.
1/16
© Sputnik / Haldei
The Black Sea Fleet is considered to have been founded by Prince Grigory Potemkin on May 13, 1783, together with its principal base, the city of Sevastopol.
Above: Black Sea fleet anti-aircraft gunners preparing to repel an air attack during World War II.
Above: Black Sea fleet anti-aircraft gunners preparing to repel an air attack during World War II.
Russia struggled for a long time against its main rival in the region, the Ottoman Empire. In 1790, Russian naval forces under the command of Admiral Fyodor Ushakov defeated the Turkish fleet at the Battle of Kerch Strait.
Above: Infantry and sailors of the Black Sea Fleet defending Odessa having a break for a cigarette.
Above: Infantry and sailors of the Black Sea Fleet defending Odessa having a break for a cigarette.
In the 18-19th centuries the Black Sea Fleet took part in the Russia’s wars with Turkey and France. Its forces bravely fought to defend Sevastopol in 1854-1855.
Above: Troops of the Black Sea Fleet during the Great Patriotic War, 1942.
Above: Troops of the Black Sea Fleet during the Great Patriotic War, 1942.
After the defeat in the Crimean War of 1853-1856, Russia was stripped of the right to station a military fleet in the Black Sea. Only when the ban was lifted in 1871 did the country begin creating its new steam-powered armor-clad fleet.
Above: Sailors of the Black Sea Fleet practicing the "weight carrying" and "wounded man carrying" exercises aboard the Mikhail Kutuzov cruiser.
Above: Sailors of the Black Sea Fleet practicing the "weight carrying" and "wounded man carrying" exercises aboard the Mikhail Kutuzov cruiser.
5/16
© Sputnik / Alexander Sokolenko
By the beginning of the 20th century, the Black Sea Fleet became a major military force in Russia’s southern region. By autumn of 1917, the fleet numbered 177 ships and had a transportation flotilla.
Above: Sailors of a torpedo cutter on a combat task, the Black Sea Fleet.
Above: Sailors of a torpedo cutter on a combat task, the Black Sea Fleet.
6/16
© Sputnik / Lev Polikashin
Since spring of 1918, forces of the Black Sea Fleet fought against advancing German forces. After Crimea and Sevastopol were occupied, the fleet was re-deployed in Novorossiysk. In June 1918, all its ships were scuttled to avoid being seized by German forces.
Above: Parade of ships of the Black Sea Fleet on Navy Day in Sevastopol.
Above: Parade of ships of the Black Sea Fleet on Navy Day in Sevastopol.
In May 1920, Soviet authorities established the Naval Forces of the Black and Azov Seas. In January 1935, the new fleet regained its old name – the Black Sea Fleet. It was strengthened with vessels from the Baltic Fleet. Before World War II, new ships and military equipment joined the fleet.
Above: A ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Raising of the Russian Navy flag.
Above: A ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Raising of the Russian Navy flag.
During the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), the fleet protected bases and coastal facilities, communication networks and carried out airstrikes against enemy facilities. Forces of the fleet took part in defending Odessa, Sevastopol, Novorossiysk, and Tuapse. During the war, its forces carried out 24 amphibious missions, sank 835 and hit 539 enemy ships.
Above: Sailor performs the "Yablochko" dance. The Black Sea Fleet Song and Dance Company.
Above: Sailor performs the "Yablochko" dance. The Black Sea Fleet Song and Dance Company.
After the war the fleet’s infrastructure was restored and modernized. Its forces were tasked with protecting the southern borders of the Soviet Union. Its ships, submarines and aviation were in service in various regions of the world.
Above: Russian sailors march near their Navy vessel in the bay of the Ukrainian city Sevastopol, the main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Above: Russian sailors march near their Navy vessel in the bay of the Ukrainian city Sevastopol, the main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
After the USSR fell, since August 1992, the Black Sea Fleet operated as a joint fleet. Under the bilateral agreements of 1995 and 1997, the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the Ukrainian Black Sea Fleet were created.
Above: A Russian soldier stands on the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s small antisubmarine warship (ASW) "Alexandrovets" in the port of Sevastopol.
Above: A Russian soldier stands on the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s small antisubmarine warship (ASW) "Alexandrovets" in the port of Sevastopol.
On June 12, 1997, St. Andrew’s flag, the historic flag of the Russian Navy, was raised again on the ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Its forces resumed campaigns not only in the Mediterranean Sea, but also the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Above: The PZhS-123 firefighter vessel during a rehearsal of the Russian Navy Day parade in Sevastopol.
Above: The PZhS-123 firefighter vessel during a rehearsal of the Russian Navy Day parade in Sevastopol.
12/16
© Sputnik / Igor Zarembo
On April 27, 2010, the presidents of Russia and Ukraine signed a bilateral agreement on whereby the Russian lease on naval facilities in Crimea would be extended beyond 2017 by 25 years with an additional 5-year renewal option (to 2042–47).
Above: The "Admiral Grigorovich" frigate, designed for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, before a launching ceremony in the shipyards of the Yantar Baltic shipbuilding plant.
Above: The "Admiral Grigorovich" frigate, designed for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, before a launching ceremony in the shipyards of the Yantar Baltic shipbuilding plant.
In 2010, the Black Sea Fleet became officially part of the Russian Southern Military District.
Above: Sailors of the Russian Black Sea Fleet march during Navy Day celebrations in Sevastopol.
Above: Sailors of the Russian Black Sea Fleet march during Navy Day celebrations in Sevastopol.
14/16
© AP Photo / Max Vetrov
On April 2, 2014, after Crimea’s reunification with Russia, a federal law was signed denouncing previous agreements with Ukraine on the deployment of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine.
Above: Artists of the Russian Black Sea Fleet dance and music groups perform for pro-Russian people celebrating in Lenin Square, in Simferopol.
Above: Artists of the Russian Black Sea Fleet dance and music groups perform for pro-Russian people celebrating in Lenin Square, in Simferopol.
The Black Sea Fleet is an integral part of the Russian Naval Forces and aims at maintaining military security in southern Russia. The fleet included diesel-powered submarines, surface vessels, naval missile carrying, anti-submarine and fighting aviation, and coastal forces. It has a total of 11,000 servicemen, 41 warships and three submarines.
Above: Navy men during the celebration of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's 230th anniversary in Sevastopol.
Above: Navy men during the celebration of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's 230th anniversary in Sevastopol.
According to the Russian plan of warship building, by 2020 the Black Sea Fleet will receive nearly 30 warships of different types, and support vessels. By the end of 2016, submarine units of six Varshavyanka vessels (project 636.3) will be established. In 2017, the construction of a new port in Novorossiysk will be completed. This geo-port is planned to be another deployment location for Black Sea Fleet forces, in addition to Sevastopol.
Above: Black Sea Fleet seamen during Russian Navy Day celebrations in Sevastopol.
Above: Black Sea Fleet seamen during Russian Navy Day celebrations in Sevastopol.
