More than 40 warships take part in Russia’s Navy Day parade

An elaborate naval display featuring dozens of frigates and fighter jets has been staged in Crimea, four years after the peninsula was controversially annexed by Russia.

Several warships and submarines were on show in the port of Sevastapol as Vladimir Putin’s navy carried out striking shows of force by firing missiles into the sea.

Pictures from the annual Navy Day parade showed soldiers and seamen filing past in rank and file and dozens of vessels sailing in a line to mark the occasion.

Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 following the Ukranian Revolution which saw president Viktor Yanukovych deposed for his anti-EU sentiment.

In a further show of force Putin’s ships also fired several missiles from inside the port to mark the heralded occasion

Russian sailors and elite troops of the Russian navy were on show in their full uniforms as part of the parade in disputed Crimea

Russian sailors and elite troops of the Russian navy were on show in their full uniforms as part of the parade in disputed Crimea

Thousands of people from Sevastapol took to the hills to watch the enormous parade of ships pour in and out of the harbour

Thousands of people from Sevastapol took to the hills to watch the enormous parade of ships pour in and out of the harbour

A Russian ship launches a powerful missile barrage within a few meters of a nuclear class submarine which sits nearby

A Russian ship launches a powerful missile barrage within a few meters of a nuclear class submarine which sits nearby

Thousands of Russian troops flooded the peninsula with Putin claiming the territory as part of Russia soon after.

Since then the President has started work on building a bridge from mainland Russia to the peninsula in a move many consider to be a diplomatic statement on Russia’s ownership.

Putin’s elaborate parade in the harbour at Sevastapol will no-doubt anger pro-Ukrainian elements within Crimea and will be seen as another instance of the Russian premier marking his territory.

As part of the annual Navy Day parade there were also displays in the waters surrounding St Petersburg in the north-west of Russia which saw 40 hulking vessels performing maneuvers in front of President Putin. 

Putin had hoped to show off his brand new 4,500-ton warship, the Admiral Gorshkov, but a total of 11 vessels were simply too large to enter the Neva river where the parade took place.

The Gorshkov is the first of Putin’s brand new stealth frigates – with six more in production and expected to join the Russian fleet by 2025. 

Kamov Ka-27 naval helicopters  hover above the water in the port of Sevastapol in a naval parade in the Black Sea marking Russian Navy Day

Kamov Ka-27 naval helicopters  hover above the water in the port of Sevastapol in a naval parade in the Black Sea marking Russian Navy Day

Russian marines march during the Navy Day parade in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, Crimea on Sunday afternoon as part of the parade

Russian marines march during the Navy Day parade in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, Crimea on Sunday afternoon as part of the parade

The Severomorsk anti-submarine destroyer takes part in the main naval parade marking Russian Navy Day with several other ships following in its tow

The Severomorsk anti-submarine destroyer takes part in the main naval parade marking Russian Navy Day with several other ships following in its tow

The Nakhimovets anti-sabotage motor boats sail in a perfectly straight line in the Neva river just outside St Petersburg

The Nakhimovets anti-sabotage motor boats sail in a perfectly straight line in the Neva river just outside St Petersburg

There were smaller parades all across Russia, with the port of Vladivostok in the country's far east also marking the occasion with a show 

There were smaller parades all across Russia, with the port of Vladivostok in the country’s far east also marking the occasion with a show 

Despite the conspicuous absence of his secret weapon, Putin seemed in high spirits as he was pictured meeting admirals and inspecting the enormous fleet.

Putin also gave an impassioned speech to his soldiers and seamen in which he described the fleet as ‘strong and beautiful’. 

‘The Russian fleet successfully resolves the tasks of the country’s defense capability, makes a significant contribution to the fight against international terrorism, plays an important role in ensuring strategic parity,’ Putin said at the parade.

‘For more than 300 years, the fleet has been defending the status of the Russian Federation as a naval power capable of protecting with determination its national interests.’

The Russian president said dozens of ships and submarine supported Russia’s interests in the World Ocean every day.

‘We are rightfully proud of our navy, our naval forces, their highest level of combat readiness, strategic, tactical and operational capabilities, the strength and beauty of our fleet,’ he said. 

Sukhoi Su-25 jets leave a trail in the Russian national colours as they take part in a parade marking Russian Navy Day in St Petersburg

Sukhoi Su-25 jets leave a trail in the Russian national colours as they take part in a parade marking Russian Navy Day in St Petersburg

The parade was nowhere near the size or scale of last year's spectacle but still proved impressive with dozens of craft taking part

The parade was nowhere near the size or scale of last year’s spectacle but still proved impressive with dozens of craft taking part

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Korolyov on dry land in St Petersburg

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Korolyov on dry land in St Petersburg

Putin gave a rousing speech from one of the frigates in which he praised the navy for its 'strength' and 'beauty' among other attributes

Putin gave a rousing speech from one of the frigates in which he praised the navy for its ‘strength’ and ‘beauty’ among other attributes

Several of Putin's largest war machines were on show in the river outside St Petersburg but there were a few absent pieces of weaponry

Several of Putin’s largest war machines were on show in the river outside St Petersburg but there were a few absent pieces of weaponry

Putin's famous brand new 4,500-ton warship, the Admiral Gorshkov was not present in the parade because it was too big to fit in the river

Putin's famous brand new 4,500-ton warship, the Admiral Gorshkov was not present in the parade because it was too big to fit in the river

Putin’s famous brand new 4,500-ton warship, the Admiral Gorshkov was not present in the parade because it was too big to fit in the river

Russian President Vladimir Putin (center), Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (left) and Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Admiral Vladimir Korolev watch the Navy Day parade in Saint Petersburg

Russian President Vladimir Putin (center), Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (left) and Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Admiral Vladimir Korolev watch the Navy Day parade in Saint Petersburg



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