The sea is not worried: Putin announced a qualitative increase in the striking power of the Navy

The purpose of the large-scale operational exercises of the Russian Navy "July Storm" ending on July 27 was to practice actions during an attack from the sea: this concerns the most complex, non-standard and close to combat operational tasks, including taking into account the experience of its own. This was stated by Vladimir Putin on Navy Day on July 27 during an address to the participants of the exercises from St. Petersburg. The President promised that Russia would continue to raise the level of combat training for the crews of submarines and surface ships, coastal and aviation units of its Navy. The Head of State stressed that in 2025 the holiday takes place in a combat situation — on this day he visited Kronstadt, where he thanked the sailors of the Admiral Grigorovich frigate for repelling attacks by Ukrainian UAVs, which delayed over 100 flights in St. Petersburg in the morning. Which St. Petersburg residents Vladimir Putin managed to talk to and what was presented to the leader in the "Ship" – in the Izvestia article.

The July Storm and its results

Vladimir Putin arrived in the Russian maritime capital on July 27: the head of state traditionally spends this day in his hometown of St. Petersburg - on the last Sunday of July, Navy Day is celebrated annually in Russia. This time, the holiday was complete without the usual colorful naval parade off the shores of the Neva River. This is due to "the general situation and security considerations," presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters before flying to the northern capital. The concern was not in vain: this morning, the Leningrad region was attacked by Ukrainian UAVs, which is why the "Carpet" plan was temporarily announced at Pulkovo Airport. More than 100 flights were delayed, and some were canceled altogether. The restrictions also affected the special flight with Dmitry Peskov and journalists: the plane took off for St. Petersburg two hours later than planned.

Meanwhile, around noon, the head of state arrived at the Admiralty, which houses the Commander—in-chief of the Russian Navy. Vladimir Putin arrived at the building "from the water" on the Raptor patrol boat. The President was greeted by a company of the guard of honor in white jackets lined up at the central building of the building, crowned with a spire with a famous ship. Here, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief checked the progress of the operational exercises of the July Storm Navy, which took place from July 23 to July 27 in the waters of the Arctic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the Baltic and the Caspian. More than 150 ships and support vessels, 120 aircraft, other military equipment, as well as over 15,000 personnel were involved in the maneuvers.

"The main purpose of the exercises is a detailed elaboration of the actions of units and formations of the fleet in repelling attacks from the sea, solving the entire complex of the most complex, non—standard, operational, tactical and other tasks close to combat, including taking into account the experience gained during a special military operation," the president said.

The crews of the ships practiced deployment in combat areas and conducting anti-submarine operations, as well as the defense of their home areas and maritime economic activities. The tasks of repelling attacks by means of air attack, unmanned boats and unmanned aerial vehicles of a simulated enemy were completed. The Ministry of Defense clarified that about 550 combat exercises were carried out as part of the July Storm naval exercise, more than 450 of them involving the practical use of weapons..

— In conditions close to combat conditions, the coordination of the crews of ships, combat crews, naval aviation and coastal missile systems is checked. Our key task is to ensure Russia's security and reliably protect the sovereignty and national interests of the Motherland. The Navy plays a huge role in this," the head of state said.

All fleets were involved in the exercises, except the Black Sea Fleet, which is fighting, military expert, captain of the first rank Vasily Dandykin told Izvestia. For example, during the July Storm, domestic unmanned boats (BEC) were tested for the first time, one of them destroyed the target. Actions to protect against drone attacks were also practiced, and UAVs were actively used.

— This indicates the widespread introduction of robotic systems into the Navy. In addition, we practiced the deployment of surface ships and nuclear-powered missile submarines in designated areas. Such tasks show that we are ready to fight back against any opponent. Our Navy has the most modern nuclear component. It is armed with fourth—generation submarines, and the United States is just starting to build such submarines," said Vasily Dandykin.

A holiday in a combat situation

Russia will continue to raise the level of combat training for the crews of submarines and surface ships, coastal and aviation units of the Navy, the president promised during a teleconference. The Russian Federation is already strengthening five Marine brigades to divisions, with two divisions already this year. Back in March, during a conversation with submariners in Murmansk, the president said that two marine brigades, including the 155th Brigade of the Pacific Fleet, would be reinforced to divisions this year. As a result, the striking power and combat capabilities of the Fleet will increase qualitatively, he said.

— The deployment of five Marine divisions is a serious reinforcement of all the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. There were not even such a large number of Marines in the USSR," says Vasily Dandykin. - One division is a powerful force of 12-15 thousand people with all the necessary equipment. After the end of the transformation, our Marines will probably become the second largest in the world, after the Americans. Marines are supposed to protect coastal areas and participate in amphibious landings, but during their combat they have proven themselves well, fighting in the land theater of operations - becoming the main striking force of our Armed Forces along with the Airborne troops.

At the end of the online conversation with the participants of the July Storm, the president had an informal conversation with the sailors over a glass of champagne. He stressed that Russia celebrates Navy Day in a combat working environment.

- Nevertheless, a holiday is a holiday. I congratulate you and, in your person, as they say in such cases, the entire personnel of the fleet and wish you all the best," the president addressed the military.

On the same day, Vladimir Putin personally arrived in Kronstadt, where he boarded the Admiral Grigorovich frigate, which just a few hours ago actively repelled UAV attacks on the Leningrad region. The Head of State spoke with the frigate's combat crew and thanked the sailors for successfully repelling the attack by enemy drones. He said that the Russian Marine Corps heroically performs all the tasks assigned to it. On that day, the president himself was awarded the medal of the Russian Maritime Board "For Loyalty to the Russian Navy" — it was presented by Presidential aide, Chairman of the Board Nikolai Patrushev.

What the Petersburgers told Vladimir Putin

In the midst of his work itinerary, the president slightly rearranged his schedule. After reports of Vladimir Putin's arrival in St. Petersburg and his arrival at the Admiralty, residents and guests of the city gathered in the Palace Square area to see the head of state. Vladimir Putin stopped the motorcade and went out to the crowd, which numbered at least several hundred.

The conversation was very emotional: the townspeople greeted the president with cheers, and some of them managed to communicate with the head of state. For example, a St. Petersburg man who served on a ship for three years told Vladimir Putin about himself, his profession and his love for the motherland. And he even ordered the head of state to take care of himself and continue to fight fascism.

— I know, it's an impudent request. But can I take a picture? — a young citizen addressed the head of state. The president did not refuse, and the guy received the long-awaited photo.

After an emotional meeting with the residents, the president continued his route, which ran to the famous Leningrad "Shipbuilder" — St. Petersburg State Maritime Technical University (SPbGMTU). The Head of state regularly visits this unique forge of personnel: Korabelka is the only university in the Russian Federation that trains specialists in all areas of shipbuilding. The last time he was here was in January last year, when Vladimir Putin watched the women's volleyball team play, and also checked out the university arena and the medical center.

The Head of State got acquainted in more detail with the developments of the Youth Design Bureau operating at the university. Here, employees and students of 3-5 courses, together with engineers from the Empirium shipyard, are engaged in the development of electric vessels. For example, they created the Moika 2.0 vessel project for the rivers and canals of St. Petersburg.

The President also visited the university's new martial arts center: there are three gyms in the building – for sambo and judo, for general physical training and boxing. In the scientific and production building, where the head of state also visited, Vladimir Putin was presented with a titanium model of the Angara, with a titanium model of a rocket taking off in a scarlet velvet case. With the help of Angara, it is planned to launch modules for the Russian space station from the Vostochny cosmodrome.