In Syria, the holiday was celebrated by the Russian Navy Mediterranean Sea Task Force Units.
Aleksandr Bilibov saw the ceremonial formations.
The Black Sea Navy Fleet and the Caspian Fleet are in a ceremonial formation in the waters of the Syrian port Tartus. Many of them have participated in operations against terrorists of the so-called Islamic State, by launching the Kalibr cruise missiles from the Mediterranean and the Caspian Sea waters.
The Navy Day Parade was opened by raising the State and the St. Andrew's flags. The seamen are celebrating their holiday a thousand miles away from their home shores.
“Hurray! Hurray!”
The ceremonial formation includes a diesel-electric submarine Kolpino, two logistics vessels, as well as five battleships, two of which are small-size missile ships carrying high-precision cruise missiles Kalibr-NK, Velikiy Ustyug and Grad Sviyazhsk.
Aslan Gadzhiyev, private, Grad Sviyazhsk: “Navy Day is a big deal for us. We await it every year, prepare the ship. We prepare our dress uniforms that consist of a white shirt, white pants, shoes.”
Ivan Solovyev, First Lieutenant, Grad Sviyazhsk: “It's very important to me, especially since it's my first time participating in the given parade. I'm feeling very prideful for the opportunity to participate in the given parade, for the opportunity to show the flag.”
In order to see the Russian ships, people from various Syrian cities have come to Tartus. Entire families gathered at the waterfront.
Asmid Aufi Mahail Abdullah: “I'm astonished! I'm seeing a submarine for the first time in my life. Even though it's far away from the shore, it's still very impressive.”
The parade is not just a holiday for the ships but yet another opportunity to sharpen formation maneuvering skills and also to work on combat maneuvers. Minesweepers are imitating a harbor clearance. While small-size missile ships Velikiy Ustyug and Grad Sviyazhsk pretend to launch the Kalibr cruise missiles.
As a closure to the Navy Day parade, Aerospace Forces planes fly over the ships' formation. Attack aircraft Su-24M, strike aircraft Su-34, and supermaneuverable fighters Su-35S.
