Russia’s Northern Fleet celebrates Navy Day against backdrop of drone threats
In Severomorsk, the headquarters of the Northern Fleet, the 330th anniversary of the Russian Navy was celebrated without a naval parade. All official events were moved ashore. The same was the case in other naval towns on the Kola Peninsula.
Normally, the Northern Fleet showcases its vessels, including submarines, in a powerful naval display in the Kola Bay.
Russia celebrates Navy Day on 27 July. The cancellation of the naval parade was the second in two years.
Reports from regional propaganda media, including the Navy’s own newspapers and social media channels, showed only soldiers parading in the streets of Severomorsk, as well as in other naval towns, such as Vidyaevo.
The naval parade in St Petersburg was also cancelled.
Mounting security concerns
The cancellations follow mounting security concerns over Ukrainian drone strikes. In recent months, the Ukrainians have successfully attacked military targets several hundred kilometres inside Russia.
On 3 June, a drone reportedly struck and heavily damaged the Russian Navy corvette Boikiy at Kronstadt Naval Base. Arms depots and oil storage facilities have also been targeted. In late March, a drone hit the FSB’s new Arctic patrol vessel Purga, which was under construction at the Vyborg Shipyard in the St Petersburg region.
On Navy Day, representatives of the Navy and Russian authorities put on a brave face and pretended that everything was normal. The governor of Murmansk tried to shift focus toward the ongoing renovation of regional bases.
“Since 2019, as part of the closed administrative-territorial formation (ZATO) regeneration programme in Severomorsk, the first secondary school in 30 years, two nurseries, and a new swimming pool have been built; three schools have been refurbished; and the town park has been upgraded. More than 150 houses have undergone major refurbishment, and 40 children’s play areas and sports grounds have been installed,” the governor said.
Head Commander of the Northern Fleet, Konstantin Kabantsov, in an address emphasised the major contributions of the fleet in the war against Ukraine.
“The sailors and marines of the Northern Fleet are today setting an example of valiantly fulfilling their military duty during the special military operation. They are fighting selflessly and heroically—for truth and justice, and for a secure and sovereign future for our people,” he said. He added that more than 18,000 servicemen of the Northern Fleet have been recognised with state awards, and 23 Northern Fleet servicemen have been awarded the title of so-called “Hero of Russia.”
Servicemen losses not mentioned
Neither the governor nor the Northern Fleet commander mentioned the dramatic losses of Russian Navy servicemen in the war.
Several hundred sailors and naval personnel from the Northern Fleet have been killed.
According to a Telegram channel that compiles information about Russians killed in the war, there are more than 55 killed men from Severomorsk, more than 20 from Polyarny, more than 20 from Gadzhievo, and 12 from Zaozersk.
The numbers include only individuals with a registered residence in the towns.
In addition, a significant number of men from the Northern Fleet’s Naval Infantry Brigade in Sputnik have been killed. The 61st Naval Infantry Brigade is believed to have lost several hundred men.
The total number of killed men with residency in Murmansk serving in various units of the Russian armed forces now amounts to more than 1,000.
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