May 13 is the Day of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy: the history and traditions of the holiday

The Day of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy is an annual holiday with a long history. It is traditionally celebrated after the May holidays, on May 13. In 2025, the celebrations will be held on Tuesday. Izvestia tells about the traditions of the significant date and what events are timed to coincide with the celebration this year.

Black Sea Fleet Day — 2025: the history and essence of the holiday

The construction of the Black Sea Fleet began in 1783 by decree of Empress Catherine II after the annexation of Crimea to the Russian Empire. Its core consisted of the ships of the Azov and Dnieper flotillas, created during the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774. A strong fleet was necessary to protect the southern borders of the country and ensure navigation on the Black Sea.

The main base of the Black Sea Fleet was the settlement of Akhtiar in the Akhtiar Bay. Later, the city and port of Sevastopol appeared on this site, where warships are still based today. The construction of naval vessels took place in the city of Kherson. Ships were lowered from the shipyard directly into the Black Sea.

The fleet developed and grew rapidly. By 1787, it consisted of three battleships and three bombardment ships, 12 frigates and about 30 other warships.

Previously, the date of May 2, when the ships of the Azov flotilla entered the Akhtiar Bay, was considered the birthday of the Black Sea Fleet. It was she who appeared in the documents of the late XVIII – early XX centuries. With the transition to the Gregorian calendar, the date shifted to May 13 according to the new style.

Officially, the Day of the Black Sea Fleet was fixed in the calendar of holidays in 1996 by order of Admiral Felix Gromov, who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy from 1992 to 1997.

Traditions of the Black Sea Fleet Day, celebrated on May 13

Celebrations of the Black Sea Fleet Day are held in different cities. Exhibitions, film screenings, meetings with sailors, and performances by creative teams are timed to coincide with the celebration. An obligatory tradition is the laying of flowers at monuments, including monuments to Black Sea sailors and Empress Catherine II as the founder of the Black Sea Fleet.

The main events are taking place in Sevastopol and Novorossiysk, where the main naval forces are based. On the holiday, ships organize a solemn formation with the raising of the national flag, and a parade of warships takes place in the coastal zone. Many tourists and locals gather to see it.

And, of course, on the Day of the Black Sea Fleet, congratulations are addressed to the military personnel — both from the command, colleagues, fellow countrymen, and top officials of the state. Veterans and heroes of the Navy are remembered on this day. Solemn prayer services are held in the Vladimir Cathedral of Sevastopol, where many Russian admirals are buried. They are also performed in other Orthodox churches.

Interesting facts about the Russian Black Sea Fleet

The Black Sea Fleet became famous for the names of outstanding Russian naval commanders, including Fyodor Ushakov, Pavel Nakhimov, and Vladimir Kornilov. Under their command, the sailors won many glorious victories in the battles of the Russian-Turkish War of 1787-1791, the Crimean War of 1853-1856, as well as during the First World War and the Great Patriotic War (WWII). Some of them, such as the Battle of Sinope in 1853, are included in the Days of Military Glory of Russia.

The heroic history of the fleet was interrupted twice. For the first time after the Crimean War, as a result of which it was forbidden to keep a military fleet on the Black Sea, and in the early years of the Russian Civil War, when the White Black Sea Fleet was formed, most of the vessels of which went abroad. Then the fleet had to be rebuilt almost anew. Its reconstruction and reinforcement began in 1928 at the expense of the ships of the Baltic Fleet.

After the collapse of the USSR, the fate of the Black Sea Fleet became one of the key problems in relations between Russia and Ukraine. As a result, Russia received most of the fleet, and in 2014, after the return of Crimea to the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation, the base in Sevastopol was transferred.

Today, the Black Sea Fleet is one of the five largest naval associations in our country. Together with the Caspian Flotilla, it is part of the Southern Military District. It is based on surface ships and submarines, units of land and coastal troops, as well as marines and aircraft.

In summer, Russia will celebrate Navy Day. Izvestia told about the history of the holiday and prepared greeting cards for the sailors.