MOSCOW, May 5. /TASS/. The Russian Navy and defense industry enterprises have started preparations for the Main Naval Parade, but the final decision to hold it on the July 30 Navy Day celebration has not been made yet, two sources in the Russian defense industry and the Russian Defense Ministry have told TASS.

"Preparations for the Main Naval Parade 2023 have begun, but the final decision on holding it is yet to be made," one of them said.

According to the other source, preparations are now "at the stage of planning and drafting the scenario."

"The decision on whether to hold the parade will be made by the officials in charge," he added.

TASS has been unable to confirm this information at the time of the publication.

The tradition to hold the Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg "to honor glorious victories of the Navy that made a substantial contribution to defending the Fatherland" emerged in 2017. The relevant decree was signed by President Putin. The first Main Naval Parade took place on July 30, 2017.

The Main Naval Parade is traditionally held on the Neva River in St. Petersburg and in the Kronstadt Roadstead. It includes the maritime and airborne components. Warships from all of Russia’s four fleets (Northern, Pacific, Baltic and Black Sea) and the Caspian Flotilla take part in the maritime section. The airborne part of the parade involves naval aviation aircraft and helicopters of the Russian Navy and Aerospace Forces.

More than 40 warships, boats and submarines, as well as 42 aircraft and over 3,500 servicemen took part in last year’s parade.

The Day of the Russian Navy is celebrated on the last Sunday of July. This year, it will be marked on July 30.