Putin took the naval parade and threatened enemies with “Zircons”
The President promised to continue the construction of warships
The main naval parade in honor of the Navy Day, which had been preparing for so long, took place. Neither a special military operation nor the gloomy St. Petersburg weather prevented its holding. Even the air part of the parade was not canceled, despite the low cloud cover. The key moment of the parade, as expected, was the speech of the Supreme Commander, who succinctly outlined the essence of the new Naval Doctrine, which he approved today.
Photo: kremlin.ru
Preparations for the parade went on for several weeks. There were also skeptics who believed that during the special operation there was no time for parades. But, in the end, the point of view won out that it would not hurt to once again demonstrate the power of the Russian Navy in St. Petersburg. Moreover, two neighboring countries on the Baltic Sea – Sweden and Finland – suddenly decided to become members of the NATO military bloc, which is clearly unfriendly to us.
The scenario of the Main Naval Parade, the tradition of holding which was resumed at the initiative of the President several years ago, has remained unchanged. Before the start of the main part of the parade, Vladimir Putin walked around the parade line of warships on the Kronstadt roadstead on a boat. He was accompanied by Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Nikolai Evmenov and Acting Commander of the Western Military District Vladimir Kochetkov.
The distinction of celebrating the Navy Day this year was the signing by the President of the Decrees “On the Approval of the Naval Doctrine of the Russian Federation” and “On the Approval of the Ship Charter of the Russian Navy.” We signed the documents in a historical place – in the Peter and Paul Fortress, in the building of the State Museum of the History of St. Petersburg.
Putin himself spoke about the importance of the new documents, opening the parade in honor of the Navy Day. He congratulated “all generations of valiant guardians of the Fatherland's maritime borders” and recalled that the Main Naval Parade in 2022 was timed to coincide with the 350th anniversary of the birth of Peter the Great, the founder of the Russian regular fleet.
The President especially noted the naval fraternity, mutual assistance, contempt for difficulties, and the firm will of all generations of military sailors. These centuries-old traditions have been developed in the new Ship Charter of the Russian Navy, the President said.
It determined the key provisions of the approved new Russian Naval Doctrine. “We have openly marked the boundaries and zones of Russia’s national interests — both economic and vital, strategic,” the head of state said and listed the zones of these interests: first of all, these are our Arctic waters, the waters of the Black, Okhotsk and Bering Seas, the Baltic and Kuril straits .
“We will ensure their protection firmly and by all means,” the President promised.
Protection of national interests is entrusted to the Navy. Putin spoke highly of his capabilities: “He is able to respond with lightning speed to anyone who decides to encroach on our sovereignty and freedom, successfully and honorably fulfills strategic tasks on the borders of our country and in any area of the World Ocean, has a high readiness for active actions of his coastal, surface, air, submarine forces and assets.
These forces and means, the President recalled, are constantly being improved. This is confirmed by the Zircon hypersonic missile systems, which have no analogues in the world. There are no barriers for them, Putin said and promised to begin deliveries of these missiles to the Russian Armed Forces in the coming months. The first “Zircons” will receive the frigate “Admiral Gorshkov”. The place of his service will be chosen based on the interests of ensuring the security of Russia.
The Zircon hypersonic missiles have passed all the necessary tests and have been put into service. There are no obstacles for them, because their speed – more than 10 thousand kilometers per hour – makes it impossible for any existing air defense system to intercept these missiles. The launch range is very impressive, according to unofficial data – up to 1500 kilometers. It will be possible to arm not only ships, but also submarines with Zircons, including those that today are carriers of Caliber missiles.
But our Navy is not alive only with Zircons. The President promised to continue the large-scale construction of ships and vessels, the implementation of marine scientific research programs, as well as positive changes in coastal regions.
Turning to the sailors, the President noted that modern conditions “require from us adequate, prompt and decisive action”.
“I am convinced that the current generation of sailors and officers is a reliable, indestructible support of the Fatherland. For all of us, the Motherland is a sacred concept, and its protection is a high duty and the meaning of life for each of us. I believe in you and thank you for your service. Glory to the Russian Navy!” the President emotionally concluded his speech.
The sixth Main Naval Parade was held in a big way. It was attended by 40 surface ships, boats and submarines, 42 aircraft and helicopters, 3500 military personnel.
The newest frigate Admiral Gorshkov of the Fleet of the Soviet Union, the Mercury corvette, and a small rocket ship lined up on the Neva roadstead “Veliky Ustyug” and diesel-electric submarine “St. Petersburg”.
17 ships sailed along the Neva, including project 21980 anti-sabotage boats – P-468, Vladimir Nosov, Nakhimovets. On board the high-speed landing craft in the Ivan Pasko air cavity, a rarity was installed – a small boat of Peter I. Following them, a group of anti-sabotage and patrol boats of the Raptor and Rook projects passed along the Neva. The crew of one of the boats – “Evgeny Kolesnikov” – is entirely made up of female military personnel.
Another attraction of the parade is the participation of the P-436 patrol boat, the crew of which took part in a special military operation this year.
Mine defense ships traditionally passed along the Neva – minesweeper “Alexander Obukhov” project 12700 and base minesweeper “Pavel Khenov”.
In the parade formation, one could also see the carriers of the Kalibr missile — the missile boat Chuvashia, the small missile ships Zeleny Dol and Odintsovo.
Patrol boats completed the parade formation project “Mongoose” of the Border Department of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the boats of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia “14M” and “Marlin-900”.
Well, the most powerful part of the parade forces did not rise to the Neva, but concentrated on the Kronstadt raid. These are two nuclear submarines – “Severodvinsk” and “Vepr”, the corvette of the Baltic Fleet “Boyky” and the large landing ship of the Northern Fleet “Ivan Gren”.
Su-27 fighters, shipborne aircraft took part in the aviation part of the parade MiG-29K, MiG-31 interceptors, Tu-154M and Tu-134A-4 special-purpose aircraft, Tu-142 and Il-38N Novella anti-submarine aircraft.
Helicopter aviation was presented by carrier-based Ka-31, Ka-27PS, Ka-27PL, as well as the Be-200 amphibious aircraft. A group of Su-25 attack aircraft painted the sky over St. Petersburg in the colors of the tricolor.
Putin, Shoigu, Evmenov received the Navy parade in St. Petersburg: impressive shots
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