Jubilee

In previous jubilee years, Russia never had the chance to celebrate the glory of its navy. In 1796, the event was marred by the death of Catherine the Great. In 1896 the state’s coffers were empty. In 1946, despite an upsurge in patriotic pride, the sheer volume of wartime destruction made any thought of major festivities absurd. Today, the navy is facing one of its most deep and lengthy crises in Russia’s history, and yet this time Russia is taking the plunge...

In fact, the fleet’s tricentenary is being celebrated not just by the navy, but also by the merchant, river, fishing and scientific research fleets, and by the shipbuilding industry. Celebratory events have been going on all over the country and the world, all through the year — the Mediterranean cruise of the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and the theatrical production Sea Ring of Russia on Red Square to name just two...

...But the largest and most publicized event was undoubtedly the celebration of Navy Day, July 28. Ships from the US, UK, France, Canada and other Western powers gathered in St. Petersburg’s Neva river to join in the festivities with their Russian colleagues, a large government delegation and thousands of locals. Parallel parades were held in Moscow (also pictured here) and other Russian cities.