ST. PETERSBURG, July 28. /TASS/. A naval parade involving cutting-edge combat ships and gunboats, a submarine and sailing vessels began on the Neva River in St. Petersburg to celebrate Russia’s Navy Day.

Russian President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin is reviewing the Main Naval Parade on the Neva River in St. Petersburg. The Russian leader traditionally reviews naval parades that take place on Russia’s Navy Day on the Neva River aboard a presidential review boat. Upon opening the event, he delivers his congratulations to the sailors of the Russian Navy.

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 the Neva River on July 30, 2017.

This year, Russia’s Main Naval Parade on the Neva River involves 20 surface ships and gunboats, four sailing vessels and a submarine.

A group of anti-saboteur boats opened the Main Naval Parade on the Neva River. The anti-saboteur boats Nakhimovets and Yunarmeyets Tatarstana sailed along the Neva River. The Project 11770 amphibious assault craft Alexey Barinov traditionally carried a replica of Tsar Peter the Great’s botik (boat).

The Russian combat ships that took part in the Main Naval Parade on the Neva River also included the Project 12700 coastal minesweeper Alexander Obukhov, the Project 21631 missile corvettes Grad, Naro-Fominsk, Grad Sviyazhsk and Serpukhov, the Project 22800 Karakurt-class missile corvette Odintsovo, the Project 20380 missile corvette Boiky, the Project 23550 icebreaking patrol ship Ivan Papanin and the Project 636.3 Varshavyanka-class large diesel-electric submarine Mozhaisk.

The foreign combat ships that participated in Russia’s Main Naval Parade on the Neva River included the Algerian Navy’s training ship Soummam, the Chinese guided missile destroyer Jiaozuo and the Indian Navy’s frigate Tabar.

About 2,500 troops marched in foot columns on Senate Square in St. Petersburg to conclude Russia’s Main Naval Parade.