July 25 — River Police Day: history and traditions of the holiday

Every year, on July 25, River Police Day is celebrated in Russia, a professional holiday for the employees of this law enforcement agency. In 2025, it falls on a Friday. Read about when the river police was formed and what functions it performs in the Izvestia article.

History of the River Police Day

The predecessor of the modern river police was a structure created by decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR on June 25, 1918. Since that moment, the history of the professional holiday of the staff of this department — River Militia Day - has been going on. The name of the celebration changed in 2011, when the federal law "On Police" came into force.

However, the river police existed in Russia as early as the second half of the 19th century. The project of its creation was approved by Emperor Alexander II in 1867. Initially, it was a special police agency that monitored the order on the waterways of St. Petersburg. His staff rescued drowning people, prevented theft and pollution of canals, monitored the strengthening of the shores, the condition of bathing pools and fish cages.

After the 1917 revolution, the police of the Russian Empire was disbanded along with its river division. The departments were created anew by the Soviet government.

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This will happen for the first time in 160 years.

During the Great Patriotic War, a centralized river militia was formed by decree of the NKVD and the People's Commissariat of the River Fleet of the USSR. Her staff monitored the safety of socialist property on the water, preventing theft. In 1943, the water police Department became part of the Transport Police Department, and in 1980 it became part of the Main Directorate of Internal Affairs for Transport of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Soviet Union.

To date, the river police is subordinate to the transport departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the federal districts.

Modern river police officers ensure security in reservoirs all year round. Their work is especially intense in the summer, when many people gather by the water to relax. They monitor the observance of bathing rules, accompany motor ships during festive events and regulate the movement of boats and jet skis.

With the onset of cold weather, employees begin to fight poachers who arrange illegal fishing in wintering pits — places where fish hibernate. They also stop motorists who drive through frozen bodies of water, creating dangerous situations for themselves and others.

Who celebrates River Police Day

On River Police Day, congratulations are accepted by all representatives of this department, regardless of their rank, as well as students and teachers of specialized educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The celebration is often joined by the technical and support staff of the river guard departments, which underlines the importance of teamwork.

River Police Day in 2025 — events

On this special day, the best employees are awarded with medals and diplomas for outstanding service and achievements. The management of departments expresses gratitude to subordinates through official letters and words of thanks. The media publishes thematic reports, interviews with employees, and documentary programs about their activities.

In addition, festive events are organized for employees of the river police: corporate parties, concerts and ceremonies with the participation of high-ranking officials who congratulate employees on their professional holiday.

Earlier, Izvestia told how the Day of Workers of the Marine and River Fleet is celebrated in Russia.