Ukraine celebrates Armed Forces of Ukraine Navy Day
This is reported by BUKVY.
A holiday with a complex history
The date of Navy Day has changed several times. Today it is celebrated on the first Sunday in July, but this has not always been the case.
In 2010, the Ukrainian authorities at the time moved the celebrations to the last Sunday in July, effectively merging it with Russia’s Navy Day. Following the start of Russian aggression, this decision was reversed. In 2015, a decree by the President of Ukraine restored the holiday to its current date, definitively separating Ukrainian and Russian military traditions.
From the Black Sea Fleet to Ukraine’s own Navy
The traditions of the Ukrainian navy predate modern independence by a considerable margin. One of the symbolic moments was the hoisting of Ukrainian flags on the ships of the Black Sea Fleet in the spring of 1918.
Following the restoration of independence in 1991, Ukraine began to establish its own Naval Forces. Within just a few years, the navy demonstrated its capabilities during the large-scale ‘More-96’ exercises, which involved ships, naval aviation and thousands of service personnel.
How the role of the Ukrainian Navy has changed
Following the start of Russian aggression in 2014, and particularly after the full-scale invasion, the Navy’s remit has expanded significantly.
Today, Ukrainian naval personnel ensure the protection of the coastline, control shipping, defend coastal areas and take part in combat operations. One of the most important areas of activity has been the deployment of maritime unmanned systems, which have repeatedly struck Russian ships and military installations in occupied Crimea and the Black Sea.
It is precisely thanks to these operations that Russia has been forced to scale back its naval activity in the western part of the Black Sea and redeploy some of its ships from Sevastopol to other bases.
Why this celebration has special significance today
In the current circumstances, Navy Day has taken on a new symbolic significance. It is dedicated to the servicemen who, day in, day out, ensure maritime security, defend the Ukrainian coastline and take part in operations that are shifting the balance of power in the Black Sea.
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