Baltic Fleet Day is a holiday of the country's oldest fleet.

An annual holiday celebrated in honor of the creation of the Baltic Fleet. Established by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Russian Federation dated 1996 No. 253.

(7) On May 18, 1703, a flotilla of 30 boats with soldiers of the Preobrazhensky and Semyonovsky regiments under the command of Peter I won its first military victory, capturing two Swedish warships, Gedan and Astrild, at the mouth of the Neva River.

It must be said that the history of the formation of the Baltic Fleet is closely connected with the history of St. Petersburg. After all, the city on the Neva began to be built in May 1703, and in 1704 they began to build the Admiralty shipyard here, which later became the center of shipbuilding in Russia. Since then, the Baltic Fleet has been brilliantly fulfilling the task of protecting Russia's borders from the northwest.

During Northern war(1700-1721) the Baltics won many more victories over the Swedish fleet. During Crimean War(1853-1856) they valiantly defended the Baltic coast, thwarted the Swedes' attempts to capture Kronstadt, and prevented the capture of Gangut, Sveaborg and St. Petersburg. They fought valiantly during the First World War and, of course, during the Great Patriotic War. The fleet participated in heroic defense Leningrad (1941-1944), supported the offensive of the Red Army in the Baltic States (1944), East Prussia, and Eastern Pomerania (1944-1945). During the Great Patriotic War, the Baltic Fleet destroyed surface and submarine fleets, naval aviation more than 1,200 enemy warships, transport and auxiliary vessels, over 2,500 aircraft. More than 100 thousand Baltics fought on the land fronts.

Not less than important role the fleet also played in scientific expeditions and discoveries, expeditions. The Baltic Fleet became the ancestor of long-range and circumnavigations Russians - 432 geographical discoveries were made on the world map, which bear the names of 98 admirals and officers of the Baltic Fleet.

Great naval commanders, heroes considered themselves Baltic naval battles admirals - F.F. Ushakov, M.P. Lazarev, P.S. Nakhimov, V.A. Kornilov, S.O. Makarov and N.O Essen, discoverers and travelers - V.Y. Bering, F.F. Bellingshausen, G.I. Nevelskaya, scientists - A.S. Popov, B.S. Jacobi and many other prominent people.

Today, the Baltic Fleet, the oldest fleet in Russia, is a large multifunctional operational-strategic territorial association. Navy of the Russian Federation in the Baltic Sea, capable of operating effectively at sea, in the air and on land, and incorporating naval forces, naval aviation, aerospace and air defense and coastal troops.

The main troop bases are Baltiysk (Kaliningrad region) and Kronstadt (St. Petersburg). The headquarters of the Baltic Fleet is located in Kaliningrad.

The main tasks of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Navy at present are: protection of the economic zone and areas of industrial activity, suppression of illegal production activities; ensuring the safety of navigation; implementation of foreign policy actions of the government in economically important areas of the World Ocean (visits, business visits, joint exercises, actions as part of peacekeeping forces, etc.).

Great, battle-hardened,
St. Petersburg stronghold!
Not once defeated
Ancient Baltic Fleet!

Your father Peter the Great
You are a participant in two terrible wars,
But never, not broken by anyone
On guard of the Baltic waves.

Do you stand proudly on the road,
Or are you on duty
We believe in our safety
And you won't let us down!

Let the banners fly proudly
The whole country congratulates you!
Continue to be undefeated
Shout "Hurrah" three times!

TASS-DOSIER. May 18, 2018 marks the 315th anniversary of the creation of the Baltic Fleet (BF) (Navy) of Russia.

The day was established by the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral of the Fleet Felix Gromov "On the introduction of annual holidays and professional days in specialty" dated July 15, 1996. In Baltiysk (Kaliningrad region) on this day a parade of garrison troops is held, for guests of the holiday a visit to the ships of the fleet is organized.

Commander of the Baltic Fleet - Vice Admiral Alexander Nosatov (since July 1, 2016 - acting, since September 17, 2016 - commander).

Fleet history

The Baltic Fleet was created by Tsar Peter I during the Northern War of 1700-1721. The ships laid down in 1702-1703 laid the foundation for the fleet. at shipyards on the rivers Syas and Svir (flow into Lake Ladoga). In 1703, the 28-gun frigate Shtandart became the first large ship of the fleet. In the same year, Fort Kronshlot, the future base of the Kronstadt fleet, was laid on Kotlin Island in the Gulf of Finland.

At the same time, the date of birth of the fleet is considered to be May 18 (May 7, according to the old style) 1703, when the rowing boat flotilla with soldiers of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments under the command of bombardment captain Pyotr Mikhailov (Peter I himself) and lieutenant Alexander Menshikov attacked and captured the Swedish military ships Gaddan ("Gedan" in Russian sources) and Astrild ("Astrild") at the mouth of the Neva.

During the Northern War, with the assistance of the Baltic Fleet, Vyborg, Revel (now Tallinn), Riga, the Moonsund Islands, Helsingfors (now Helsinki) were taken. At sea, victories were won at Gangut (1714), Ezel (1719) and Grengam (1720). The fleet participated in the Seven Years' War and Russian-Turkish wars 18th century The Turkish fleet was defeated by the ships of the Baltic Fleet in naval battles in Chesme Bay (1770, the Russian squadron was commanded by Rear Admiral Samuil Greig), the Dardanelles (1807, under the command of Vice Admiral Dmitry Senyavin) and Navarino Bay (1827, the commander of the Russian squadron was Vice Admiral Login Geiden).

In the second half of the XIX century. The Baltic Fleet was equipped armored ships, of which in 1897 and 1904 the 1st and 2nd squadrons were formed Pacific Ocean sent to Far East to strengthen naval forces. During Russo-Japanese War a significant part of these ships was lost during the defense of Port Arthur in 1904 and in Tsushima battle May 27-28, 1905 Before the start of World War I, the Baltic Fleet was re-equipped with new ships - in particular, in 1912 it included the battleships "Andrew the First-Called" and "Emperor Paul I", in 1913-1917. - 17 destroyers of the Novik type, etc. During the war, sailors of the Baltic Fleet sank about 100 enemy ships.

Sailors of the Baltic Fleet took Active participation in revolutionary events 1917 After October revolution, in February - May 1918, 226 ships and vessels of the Baltic Fleet (including 6 battleships, 5 cruisers, 59 destroyers and destroyers, 12 submarines) in order to avoid their capture German units committed ice hike from Reval to Helsingfors, and then to Kronstadt. In the spring of 1921, the Kronstadt garrison and the crews of several BF ships raised against Soviet power armed rebellion, which was put down.

During the years of the Great Patriotic War, the fleet forces destroyed 1,205 enemy warships, transports and auxiliary vessels, 2,418 enemy aircraft. 173 servicemen were awarded the title of Hero Soviet Union. Famous Soviet submariners Alexander Marinesko and Pyotr Grishchenko, aces pilots Nelson Stepanyan, Vasily Rakov, Alexei Mazurenko and Nikolai Chelnokov fought in the Baltic.

In 1945-1956. the fleet carried out combat trawling in order to restore navigation in the Baltic, while in 1946 it was divided into the South Baltic (later - 4th) and North Baltic (later - 8th) fleets, in 1955 - restored in the old structure. In the years cold war ships of the fleet defended the Soviet coast of the Baltic, performed tasks of combat service in the Northern and mediterranean seas, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. By 1991, the BF had 232 warships (including 32 diesel submarines), about 300 combat aircraft and 70 helicopters, coastal missile launchers, etc. SSR, now - Latvia), Tallinn and Paldiski (Estonian SSR, now - Estonia), as well as Swinoujscie (Poland). Aviation BF had ten main and 13 alternate airfields.

The fleet was awarded with orders Red Banner in 1928 and 1965. After the collapse of the USSR, Baltiysk (Kaliningrad region) and Kronstadt (Leningrad region, now part of St. Petersburg) became the main bases for the fleet.

Current state

The modern Baltic Fleet is an operational-strategic formation of the Russian Navy in the Baltic Sea. It is part of the Western Military District and is the main training base of the Russian Navy.

According to open sources, as of May 2018, the fleet consisted of 2 diesel submarines and 56 surface ships, including:

• 2 Project 956 Sarych destroyers (one of them, Bespokoyny, is being prepared for transfer to the Patriot branch in Kronstadt, but the withdrawal of this ship from the fleet has not yet been officially announced);
• 2 patrol ship the far sea zone (frigate) of project 11540 "Yastreb" (one of them, "Neustrashimy", is undergoing repairs and will return to service in 2019);
• 4 patrol ships of the near sea zone (corvette) of project 20380;
• 6 small missile ships;
• 6 small anti-submarine ships;
• 6 missile boats;
• 1 naval, 5 basic and 9 offshore minesweepers;
• 4 large landing ships;
• 2 small landing hovercraft and 9 landing craft(including new boats on the air cavity of the "Dugong" type of project 21820).

The Baltic Fleet also includes formations of auxiliary and search and rescue vessels, naval aviation, coastal troops, units of the rear and technical support. Of all the Russian fleets, the Baltic Fleet historically has the most developed educational infrastructure, which includes military training scientific centers in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad ( Naval Academy them. Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union N.G. Kuznetsova and its branch).

Fleet flagship - destroyer"Persistent" (type "Modern", project 956 "Sarych").

Fleet activity in 2017

According to the RF Ministry of Defense, during 2017 the Baltic Fleet’s auxiliary fleet was replenished with five new support vessels, the fleet’s aviation received Su-30SM multi-role fighters, modernized Ka-29 carrier-based helicopters, the coastal missile formation near Kaliningrad formed coastal missile systems"Ball" and "Bastion".

In 2017, the Baltic Fleet's surface forces had more than 2,000 days of floating time (the time a ship spent at sea without calling at a port), in total, surface ships and support vessels traveled 150,000 nautical miles (about 277,000 km).

The forces of the fleet took part in joint exercises with the Chinese Navy "Sea Interaction-2017", worked out tasks in the water area Baltic Sea and on land training grounds as part of the joint Russian-Belarusian exercises "West-2017", repeatedly performed the tasks of long-distance ocean voyages as part of the operational formation of the Russian Navy ships in the Mediterranean Sea.

Units and formations of the army corps, which is part of the fleet, conducted about 1,000 live firing as part of subdivisions, more than 800 firing from small arms and more than 300 exercises for driving military vehicles and special vehicles. The total flight time of the BF naval aviation crews exceeded 4,500 hours (an increase of more than 10% compared to 2016).

According to the results of competitions in 2017 academic year The prizes of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy were awarded to the crews of the Boiky, Stoykiy and Steregushchiy corvettes of the Baltic Fleet (all for the successful completion of training artillery firing), the Baltic Fleet strike group consisting of the small missile ships Rain and Passat (the best in the competition tactical groups of missile boats), a tactical group of minesweepers of the Baltic Fleet (the best in the Navy among mine-sweeping ships), an anti-aircraft missile regiment of the Baltic Fleet air defense formation (for performing missile firing at air targets at the Kapustin Yar and Telemba training grounds), a communication ship "Fedor Golovin" , air assault battalion of the formation marines fleet, as well as two more units of the Baltic Fleet.

May 18 is annually celebrated as the Day of the Baltic Fleet, which was established by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Admiral of the Fleet Felix Gromov "On the introduction of annual holidays and professional days in the specialty" dated July 15, 1996.

On this May day in 1703, Peter I, at the head of his flotilla, won the first military victory, capturing two Swedish warships (Gedan and Astrild) during the battle.

The Baltic Fleet is the oldest fleet in Russia. It is a large, diverse operational-strategic territorial formation of the Russian Navy in the Baltic Sea, capable of operating effectively both directly in the sea zone, as well as in the air and on land. Also, the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Navy is the main training and testing base of the Russian Navy. The fleet includes 2 diesel submarines, 41 surface ships, 15 boats, of which 9 landing and 6 missile. The flagship of the fleet is the destroyer Persistent.

The headquarters of the Baltic Fleet is located in Kaliningrad. The main points of deployment: Baltiysk (Kaliningrad region) and Kronstadt (St. Petersburg).

It must be said that the history of the formation of the Baltic Fleet is closely connected with the history of St. Petersburg. Indeed, in May 1703, the construction of the city on the Neva began, and a year later the construction of the Admiralty Shipyard began here, which later became one of the centers of shipbuilding in Russia. Since then, the Baltic Fleet has selflessly defended the borders of the Fatherland, passing through all the historical milestones of the Russian State.

During the existence of the Baltic Fleet, outstanding victories were won by Baltic sailors. During the Great Northern War (1700-1721) they bravely and selflessly fought against the forces of the Swedish crown. They valiantly defended the Baltic coast during the Crimean War (1853-1856). During the Great Patriotic War, the fleet took part in the defense of Leningrad (1941-1944), supported the offensive of the Red Army in the Baltic States (1944), in East Prussia and East Pomerania (1944-1945).

More than 110,000 Baltic sailors fought on the land fronts. Baltic submariners destroyed 52 enemy transports and 8 ships. The fleet landed 24 troops. The aviation of the fleet made more than 158 thousand sorties, including sorties under heavy enemy fire. About 82 thousand Baltic sailors were awarded orders and medals, of which 173 were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, including four twice.

The Baltic Fleet became the ancestor of Russian round-the-world research expeditions. On the world map you can see the names of admirals and officers of the Baltic Fleet, who made 432 (!) geographical discoveries. AT modern textbooks geography and history is outstanding achievement not only separately of the Baltic, but also of the entire naval school of the country, today is actually not reflected in any way.

For outstanding services to the Motherland, the Baltic Fleet was awarded two Orders of the Red Banner in 1928 and 1965.

Now the Baltic Fleet has modern ships, the latest weapons and technical means latest generation. Almost every year for sea ​​spaces new or modernized ships, warships come out

In December 2016, the Andreevsky flag was hoisted on the Alexander Obukhov ship, created for the main base of the Baltic Fleet. This project 12700 lead ship is unique in the world's largest fiberglass hull.

The technology of blown shipbuilding is used in the Russian fleet for the first time. It allows, with an increase in the strength of the ship, to reduce its mass, increase its service life and significantly reduce the magnetic field, which provides additional safety when minesweeping.

The length of the ship is 70 meters, the displacement is 800 tons, maximum speed 15 knots, cruising range up to 1.5 thousand miles. Thanks to the thrusters, the minesweeper maneuvers well, and much attention was paid to the comfort of the crew during its creation.

Currently, three more ships of project 12700 (Georgy Kurbatov, Ivan Antonov and Vladimir Yemelyanov) are under construction, and in the coming years it is planned to create another 20 minesweepers of this type.

As for the geography of the activities of the Baltic Fleet, it is currently very extensive. The ships and vessels of the Baltic Fleet solve the problems of the security of international shipping and the fight against terrorism in areas of the World Ocean remote from the coast of the Russian Federation, including the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Baltic Fleet is an outpost of Russia in western region and ensures the stability of the military-political situation and the state interests of the country.

"Military Review" congratulates the Baltic sailors on the holiday!

On May 18, our country celebrates the Day of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Navy. The holiday received official status only in 1995, after the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy. But the roots of the holiday go back to the time of Peter the Great, when the Tsar, amazed by the Tsar, who was taken away in Europe, returned to Russia with full confidence that he would create a domestic merchant and navy.

History of the Baltic Fleet

The very first naval victory in the Baltic took place on May 18. It happened in 1703, when several dozen boats filled with soldiers of the Semenovsky and Preobrazhensky regiments smashed two large Swedish ships and captured the mouth of the Neva. Tsar Peter the Great personally commanded the army. It is curious that in honor of the winners a special medal was issued, on which there was an inscription: "The unimaginable happens." It sounds a bit un-Russian, here, it would be more appropriate: "The impossible is possible."

St. Petersburg

The Baltic has always been associated with the city of Petrov, it was here that he took his first steps Russian fleet, and the birth of the naval armada happened a year later than the appearance of the city itself. It turns out that St. Petersburg was founded in 1703, and the first shipyard arose a year later, and as a result, it became the most important shipyard of the renewed Russian state.

First test

The Baltic Fleet first showed itself during the Northern War, when numerous victories were won against the formidable Swedish fleet. A century later, the fleet of the Baltic gave a serious rebuff during the Crimean War, and stopped all attempts by the Swedes to take control of the northwestern borders of the empire. Thus, Kronstadt finally passed to Russia, and the danger of losing St. Petersburg and other important cities in the border areas came to naught.

Baltic during World War II

In the first years of the war, the fleet actively resisted the enemy's invasion from the Baltic and, to the last, held back the enemy's power in relation to Leningrad. The Baltic Fleet supported the front in the direction of East Prussia and Pomerania. In total, during the period of the Great Patriotic War, the forces of the Baltic Fleet destroyed more than 1200 enemy ships, including combat, transport and maintenance vehicles. Big victories were both on land and on the ground, for example, the Baltics destroyed more than 2.5 thousand enemy aircraft, and over 100 thousand soldiers fought with Germany during ground operations.

Scientific base

No less merit of the fleet in the Baltic in numerous scientific papers, research and expeditions. It was from the Baltic Sea that Russian explorers set off in search of new lands and riches. We have to admit that almost 500 new geographical discoveries was made by our great navigators, and as a result, each of them received the name of a Russian navigator.

our era

Nowadays, the Baltic Fleet should not be perceived only from the point of view of a naval purpose, it is also a research base, Industrial Zone and a training facility for exercises. The Day of the Baltic Fleet is celebrated by everyone who works in the Baltic, and not only associated with the water element. You can also distinguish marine pilots, infantrymen, missilemen, who make up the air defense forces, as well as ground forces.

When is the Day of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Navy in 2019

Russia is celebrating the birthday of the Baltic Fleet of the Navy today. On May 18, 1703, according to the new style, the soldiers of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments under the command of Peter I were able to capture the mouth of the Neva. It is this event that is considered the most significant for the Baltic Fleet. The significance of what happened was emphasized by awarding the participants of the battle with a special award with the inscription "Unprecedented happens."

The Baltic Fleet is considered one of the oldest and first in Russia. In 1702-1703, specifically for the foundation of the fleet at the mouth of the Syas River, on Lake Ladoga and the Svir River, they began to build the first warships.

The birthday of the Baltic Fleet was marked by the first victory of Russian soldiers over the Swedish military. Throughout the history of the existence of the fleet, the Baltics have accomplished a considerable number of feats.

History of the Day Baltic Fleet is closely connected with the hostilities that took place during the reign of Peter I. On May 18, 1703, soldiers from the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments captured two warships of the Swedish military - "Gedan" and "Astrild".

At the mouth of the Neva River, the Baltic Fleet began to be officially considered part of the country's armed forces. In subsequent years, the Baltics took an active part in the defense and defense of the state.

The formation of the Baltic Fleet is directly related to history cultural capital Russia St. Petersburg. After the victory of the fleet over the Swedish military, they began to build a city on the Neva. In addition, it was in St. Petersburg that the Admiralty Shipyard was built, which became Russian center shipbuilding.

The Baltic Fleet helped Russia more than once during the war with Sweden. During the Crimean War, the Baltics did not allow the capture of Kronstadt, Ganguta, Sveaborg and St. Petersburg.

During World War II, the Baltic Fleet took part in the defense of Leningrad. At the end of World War II, military personnel took an active part in the destruction of enemy forces that attacked the USSR from all sides. Since then, the Baltic Fleet has been responsible for protecting the northwestern borders of the Russian Federation.

The importance of the Baltic Fleet today

To date, the Baltic Fleet continues to exist. It is a grouping of forces and troops, which includes surface and submarine forces. Including the fleet includes aviation, air defense troops and coastal troops.

The Baltic Fleet is constantly improving its combat capabilities, therefore it is considered one of the most modern in Russia. The year before last, small missile ships replenished the fleet's armament arsenal. Auxiliary fleet put at the disposal of the latest ships. At any moment, military personnel are ready to stand up for the defense of the motherland.

Among other things, the Baltic Fleet is no less important on the scale of the world's oceans. Starting from June 1, trips to the Mediterranean regions are carried out, indian ocean and the Arctic. In the winter period, thanks to its work, the Baltic Naval Base distinguished itself.

Traditionally, at the naval base of the fleet, festive events. Usually, a solemn ceremony begins first, after which various exhibitions of weapons and excursions for guests of the holiday are held.