In Photos: Russia Stages Showcase Naval Parade

Russia held its annual Main Naval Parade on Sunday as the third year of its invasion of Ukraine rages on.

The two-hour fleet review takes place each year on Navy Day, the last Sunday of July in St. Petersburg, the home base of the Russian Navy and the Baltic Fleet, with smaller parades also being held in ports like Vladivostok and Kaliningrad.

This year’s guest list reflects Russia’s shifting allies on the world stage after its invasion of Ukraine severed its ties with Europe.

Russia’s ships were accompanied by naval craft from Moscow’s current allies, including the Chinese Navy destroyer Jiaozuo, the Algerian Navy training ship La Soummam and the Indian Navy frigate Tabar.

According to former British Defense Secretary Rt Hon Grant Shapps, Russia has lost up to one-fifth of its Black Sea Fleet since the summer of 2023, and no Navy Day celebrations were held in the Black Sea Fleet’s base of Sevastopol in annexed Crimea this year.

Nonetheless, Putin’s speech hailed the “crucial status” of Russia as a maritime power, dedicating paragraphs to the United States and “its satellites in Europe” and issuing threats to the U.S. to relaunch production of intermediate-range nuclear weapons.