Russian Navy Black Sea Fleet Day 2026: history and traditions of the holiday
Every year on May 13, the Black Sea Fleet Day is celebrated in our country. It was established by the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Admiral Felix Gromov "On the introduction of annual holidays and professional days in the specialty" No. 253 dated July 15, 1996. In 2026, the Black Sea Fleet will celebrate the 243rd anniversary of its founding. Izvestia recalls its history, the exploits of sailors and tells about modern traditions of celebration.
History of the Black Sea Fleet
The 18th century was a turbulent one for the southern borders of Russia: the Black Sea constantly became the cause of new military conflicts, as large trade routes passed through it. The southern borders needed protection, so on May 13, 1783, by decree of Empress Catherine II, a flotilla under the command of Admiral Fedot Klokachev, consisting of 11 ships, entered the Akhtiar Bay of the Crimean Peninsula. A little later, 28 more vessels joined them.
Reproduction of the portrait of Prince Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin-Tauride from the Hermitage funds
In August 1785, Empress Catherine II officially approved the formation of the Black Sea Fleet by decree "On orders for the establishment and management of the Black Sea Fleet and the Admiralty." Initially, it consisted of 12 battleships, 20 frigates, 5 ships and 8 transports with a staff of 13,5 thousand people. The fleet was commanded by Field Marshal Prince Grigory Potemkin.
The Black Sea shipping industry developed rapidly, and already in 1778 the city of Kherson was founded with a shipyard and a port, which became the base of shipbuilding on the Black Sea. In 1784, by decree of the Empress, the small town of Akhtiar, where the first base of the Black Sea Fleet was located, was renamed Sevastopol, which means "sacred" in Greek.
Battleship of the Black Sea Fleet "Prince Potemkin Tavrichesky"
At various times, the Black Sea Fleet was commanded by various outstanding Russian naval commanders: Fyodor Ushakov, Vladimir Istomin, Vladimir Kornilov, Mikhail Lazarev, Pavel Nakhimov and others.
The Black Sea Fleet in the Russian-Turkish Wars
The Black Sea Fleet played a crucial role in the Russo-Turkish wars of the 18th and 19th centuries, ensuring Russian dominance at sea and the support of the ground forces. The victories under the command of Fyodor Ushakov (Tendra, Kaliakria) secured Crimea and the coast for Russia. The fleet successfully operated against the Ottoman Empire, despite the numerical superiority of the Turks. For example, in the war of 1787-1791, the fleet led by Ushakov won grand victories in the battles of Fidonisi Island, Cape Tendra and Cape Kaliakria.
The Black Sea Fleet also played an important role in the Crimean War of 1853-1856. Despite the technical superiority of the enemy (the Russian fleet was predominantly sailing at that time, while the British and French had already switched to steam-powered screw vessels), the Russian sailors showed impressive resilience and courage.
Reproduction of the portrait of Admiral Fyodor Fyodorovich Ushakov by an unknown artist from the collection of the State Central Naval Museum
In November 1853, a squadron under the command of Admiral Pavel Nakhimov defeated the Turkish fleet in the Battle of Sinop. In 1854, the leadership of the Russian army made a risky but subsequently successful decision in the defense of Sevastopol: after the Allied landings in Crimea, some ships were sunk at the entrance to Sevastopol Bay, which blocked access to enemy vessels. However, despite the valor of the sailors and the proven strategies of the naval commanders, the war was lost.
In 1856, under the terms of the Paris Peace Treaty, Russia was forbidden to have a military fleet on the Black Sea. The restrictions were lifted only 15 years later by the London Convention. After that, Russia began to actively create a steam-powered armored fleet, which played an important role in the First World War.
The Black Sea Fleet in the Great Patriotic War
During the Great Patriotic War (WWII), the Black Sea Fleet became the Red Banner. The ships defended bases in Sevastopol, Odessa and Novorossiysk, provided transportation and support for ground forces, and took part in attacks on the enemy. By the beginning of the war, the fleet consisted of a battleship, 6 cruisers, 17 destroyers and 14 submarines. During the Second World War, the Black Sea sank 508 enemy ships.
The Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 The defense of Sevastopol and the battle for Crimea. Ships of the Black Sea Fleet go to besieged Sevastopol
In 1941-1942, the Black Sea Fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Philip Oktyabrsky heroically defended Odessa and Sevastopol. The land defense was held by the Primorsky Army, and the ships provided support with artillery fire from the sea, blocked the coast and ensured uninterrupted cargo delivery. In Sevastopol, Soviet troops repelled three German assaults. In total, the defense in Crimea lasted 250 days, and in Odessa — 73 days, which became an example of the resilience of the Black Sea Fleet and the Red Army.
In 1942-1943, the Black Sea people made a significant contribution to the Battle for the Caucasus. The ships and marines stood to the death for Novorossiysk and Tuapse, not giving the enemy a chance to break through to the bases of Transcaucasia. In 1943, the Black Sea Fleet launched a counteroffensive.
The cruiser Krasny Kavkaz. On the night of February 4, 1943, he made a series of amphibious landings west of Novorossiysk, in the rear of the Germans
During this period, the famous amphibious operation was carried out under the command of Caesar Kunikov on Malaya Zemlya. A detachment of 275 Marines seized a bridgehead in the Stanichki area (a suburb of Novorossiysk), holding it for 225 days until the city was completely liberated. The successful capture of the bridgehead made it possible to launch an operation to liberate Novorossiysk. Eventually, thanks to the Novorossiysk-Taman operation, Soviet troops completely liberated the Kuban and successfully completed the battle for the Caucasus.
The Black Sea Fleet today
Today, the Black Sea Fleet is an operational and strategic association of the Russian Navy in the Black Sea. The headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet is located in Sevastopol. The flagship of the Black Sea Fleet is the missile cruiser Moskva.
The Black Sea Fleet includes the following forces and facilities: surface-type ships for operations in both oceanic and near-sea zones, diesel submarines, fighter, anti-submarine and naval missile-carrying aircraft, as well as units of coastal troops.
The missile cruiser Moskva at the rehearsal of the parade for the Day of the Russian Navy in Sevastopol
Today, the fleet faces three key tasks: protection of economic activities in the economic zone and adjacent areas, including the suppression of any illegal fishing; ensuring trouble-free passage of vessels; support for the state's foreign policy initiatives in strategically important waters of the World Ocean.
How to celebrate the Day of the Black Sea Fleet: holiday traditions
Various events are held in honor of the holiday in Sevastopol and Novorossiysk (the main ports of the Black Sea Fleet). On this day, residents and visitors of the cities will be able to see the solemn formations of personnel and the raising of flags on ships, the laying of wreaths and flowers at the monuments to Catherine II, naval commanders and sailors from the Black Sea, performances of a military orchestra and guided tours of the ships.
Concerts and performances dedicated to the exploits of the Black Sea people are held annually on May 13, and solemn services are held in cathedrals and temples. The main service takes place in the Vladimir Cathedral of Sevastopol, where the remains of several admirals rest.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
