Russia: Putin observes Navy Day parade in St. Petersburg

Russian President Vladimir Putin has observed a naval parade in St. Petersburg to mark the country’s 325th anniversary of the Russian navy.

Putin observed the drill at the Main Naval Parade on the Neva River on Sunday.

During the parade, Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov reported to the president about the status of the naval forces.

More than 50 ships, boats, and submarines are participating in the parade. The aerial part of the parade will include more than 40 aircraft and helicopters. About 4,000 personnel are also taking part.

Ships from the Indian, Pakistani, and Iranian navies also take part in the parade, according to Russia’s Sputnik news agency.

The Navy Day is annually celebrated in Russia on the last Sunday of July.

The parade comes amid intensifying tensions between the West and Russia over the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Last month, the United Kingdom deployed naval assets to the Black Sea to signal solidarity with Ukraine and the US-led military alliance of NATO, which conducted drills in the strategic waters.

Russia warned at the time that it will take all the necessary measures if its territorial waters off the coast of the Crimean Peninsula are violated.

SS