{short description of image}  
 

RUSSIAN NAVY DAY - BLACK SEA FLEET

 

In 1992 and 1993 I organized groups of military historians and officers for special tours in Russia and Ukraine hosted by those countries military. In 1992 we were privileged to be guests of the Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet to attend Russian Navy Day in Sevastopol and were the first foreigners allowed to stay overnight in the city. In fact we lodged as a guest facility of the Russian Navy. We were invited again in summer 1993. On both occasions we also had extensive guided tours of southern Crimea to visit the battlefields at the Alma and Balaklava (including the port as well) and other locations such as wineries and farms. We were again guests for Navy Day in summer 1993, this time housed in a more modern resort hotel. Here are some photos of the Navy Day celebrations of both years and a few also of the Museum of the Black Sea Fleet. Many other photos from these visits are in the folders for Sevastopol and other places along with even more photos we made during a visit in 1998. Below, first are photos from 1993, which are better photography, and then photos from 1992.

{short description of image} 

We arrived by air from Kyiv to Simferopol and rushed by bus to barely make it in time for the events. here Russian sailors are entering the reviewing stands.

 
{short description of image} 

Here one can see the crowd of local fans. We were privileged to have reserved seats in a covered viewing area. Note the sailors with the trumpets.

 
{short description of image} 

The admiral is preparing to inspect the fleet from his launch - the naval band is rendering honors - Fort Constantine, build prior to the Crimean War is on the break water at harbor entrance.

 
{short description of image} 

Fort Constantine at harbor entrance - it is still an active Naval installation off limits to visitors

 
{short description of image}

Navy Day - Neptune's court is arriving. Fort Constantine at the harbor mouth is in the background.

 
{short description of image} 

Navy Day - Neptune's court is arriving. Fort Constantine at the harbor mouth is in the background.

 
     
{short description of image} 

Neptune's court is preparing to welcome the arrival of underwater Special forces scuba divers - along with the naval band.

 
 {short description of image}

Here the leading Scuba equipped special forces man are ascending the stairs - they entered the water several hundred yards to the right of the reviewing stand and somehow kept their alignment in order to arrive in these groups of 4.

 
{short description of image} 

Here the full unit of scuba-equipped, special forces are marching off to the appreciative applause of the spectators.

 
{short description of image} 

View of part of the spectator area and the south side of Sevastopol harbor toward the headland on which is Chersonesos archeological preserve

 
{short description of image} 

The Russian naval band and fanfare trumpeters.

 
{short description of image} 

Here a "Hovercraft" is passing in front of the Aircraft carrier Moskva.

 
{short description of image} 

Two guided missle patrol boats passing in review in front of the Moskva.

 
{short description of image} 

The Moskva aircraft carrier with re-enactors passing by - perhaps a Viking or pirate boat.

 
{short description of image} 

One of the Navy Day boats passing in front of a destroyer?

 
{short description of image} 

In 1992 and 1993 we were privileged guests of the commander of the Black Sea Fleet for the annual Navy Day celebration. Here a landing ship has opened its bow and discharged a group of amphibious BMP that are staging a very noisy assault landing.

 
{short description of image} 

The amphibious BMP are continuing past the Moskva while firing a storm.

 
{short description of image} 

Not sure if this was a torpedo or a missle but the impact was impressive.

 
{short description of image} 

Another view of the Moskva and several small ships.

 
{short description of image} 

In 1992 and 1993 we were privileged guests of the commander of the Black Sea Fleet for the annual Navy Day celebration Here the sailors are having a spirited boat race.

 
{short description of image} 

Sky diving paratroops join the festival

 
{short description of image} 

A helicopter showing its capability for sea rescue.

 
{short description of image} 

Here is the aircraft carrier Moskva with a submarine passing in front. These are no longer based at Sevastopol.

 
{short description of image} 

Several fire boats putting on a show.

 
{short description of image} 

Here sailors are spelling out in cyrillic initials for 'Glory to the Black Sea Fleet."

 
{short description of image} 

The other end of the sailor's display

 
{short description of image} 

Text about the Black Sea Fleet museum

 
{short description of image} 

A painting showing part of the Panorama. It is on the wall in the Museum of the Black Sea Fleet

 
{short description of image} 

Bust of Admiral Kornilov in the Museum of the Black Sea Fleet

 
{short description of image} 

Bust of Admiral Nakhimov in the Museum of the Black Sea Fleet

 
{short description of image} 

Some ordnance in the courtyard of the Museum of the Black Sea Fleet at Sevastopol.

 
{short description of image} 

Some ordnance in the courtyard of the Museum of the Black Sea Fleet at Sevastopol.

 
{short description of image} 

Facade of the Museum of the Black Sea Fleet

 
{short description of image}

1992 - Photo from the eastern end of Sevastopol harbor with line of submarines and several other war ships

 
{short description of image}

1992 - View of western part of Sevastopol harbor and Fort Constantine at the entrance from water taxi

 
{short description of image}

1992 - View of south side of Sevastopol harbor near entrance with the memorial - from water taxi.

 
{short description of image}

Statue of Admiral Nakhimov, hero of the Siege of Sevastopol in the Great Eastern War, in the main city square.

 
{short description of image}

Photo of the lady who ran the naval PX at the naval recreation center where we stayed, at its entrance

 
{short description of image}

View of the eastern end of Sevastopol harbor from the high hill above the Cherniya river on which the Feodoro fortress -=Kalimata ruin remains

 
{short description of image}

View of Sevastopol harbor with several war ships preparing for Russian Navy Day Celebration

 
{short description of image}

Russian war ship in Sevastopol harbor

 
{short description of image}

Russian sailors preparing their cordon lines for crowd control on Russian Navy Day

 
{short description of image}

Crowds of eager locals approaching the reviewing area for Russian Navy Day

 
{short description of image}

Several war ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet

 
{short description of image}

The inner harbor at Sevastopol

 
{short description of image}

Russian Black Sea Fleet war ships preparing for Navy Day in Sevastopol harbor.

 
{short description of image}

Russian Black Sea Fleet warships

 
{short description of image}

View of the main harbor at Sevastopol

 
{short description of image}

View east into the upper part of the Sevastopol harbor

 
{short description of image}

View of Sevastopol harbor from water taxi with part of the Black Sea Fleet at anchor

 
{short description of image}

Part of Sevastopol toward evening

 
{short description of image}

Part of Sevastopol toward evening

 
{short description of image}

Two Russian warships of the Black Sea Fleet - we are preparing to board the one on the right for an interesting guided tour.

 
{short description of image}

Boarding a war ship in the Russian Black Sea Fleet

 
{short description of image}

A "pirate" boat, part of the pagent for Russian Fleet Day

 
{short description of image}

A Russian landing craft vessel has opened its doors to disgorge amphibious BMP vehicles - with Moskva in back ground

 
{short description of image}

The Russian helicopter carrier, Moskva, with landing craft vessel approaching.

 
{short description of image}

Russian high speed, guided missle ship approaching

 
{short description of image}

Neptune and his court approaching during the Russian Fleet Day pagent.

 
{short description of image}

View from audience reviewing area toward the Sevastopol harbor entrance and Ft. Constantine

 
{short description of image}

Underwater explosion to simulate firing

 
{short description of image}

Naval Special Forces unit climbing ladder after traveling several hundred yards underwater.

 
{short description of image}

Black Sea Fleet celebration of Russian Navy Day

 
{short description of image}

Russian Navy Day - Neptune's court approaching from Ft. Constantine

 
{short description of image}

Russian Black Sea Fleet war ships

 
{short description of image}

Another 'pirate' boat in the Navy Day festival.

 
{short description of image}

Statue of Admiral Nakhimov, hero of the Siege of Sevastopol in the Great Eastern War

 
{short description of image}

Russian sailors line the avenue leading to the public reviewing area on Navy Day in Sevastopol

 
{short description of image}

Some of the enthusiastic spectators (mostly military dependents) watching festivities in Sevastopol harbor

 
{short description of image}

Entrance to Sevastopol harbor with Ft. Constantine and two Russian war ships.

 
{short description of image}

Russian carrier, Moskva, in Sevastopol harbor

 
{short description of image}

Two Russian war ships in Sevastopol harbor

 

Return to Xenophon. Return to Ruscity. Return to Rushistory. Return to Ukraine.