MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Navy Day is celebrated in Russia on the last Sunday of July. This year it falls on July 26.
The president, who is also the nation’s commander-in-chief, arrived in the capital of Russia’s exclave on the Baltic Sea on Saturday.
On Sunday, Putin is due in Baltiysk, a seaport town and a major naval base of the Baltic Fleet. He is expected to congratulate Russian seamen on their professional holiday and meet local residents.
This spring, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the nation must strengthen and optimize its military contingent in the Baltic region citing a buildup of NATO forces there. In March, the Baltic Fleet took part in snap combat readiness drills in Kaliningrad.
© Sputnik / Vitaliy Ankov / Go to the mediabankA Varshavyanka class diesel-electric submarine in commission during a general rehearsal of the parade for the Russian Navy Day in Vladivostok.
A Varshavyanka class diesel-electric submarine in commission during a general rehearsal of the parade for the Russian Navy Day in Vladivostok.
© Sputnik / Igor Zarembo / Go to the mediabankDuring the general rehearsal for a naval parade on RF Navy Day in Baltiysk.
During the general rehearsal for a naval parade on RF Navy Day in Baltiysk.
© Sputnik / Igor Zarembo / Go to the mediabankDuring the general rehearsal for a naval parade on RF Navy Day in Baltiysk.
During the general rehearsal for a naval parade on RF Navy Day in Baltiysk.
© Sputnik / Igor Zarembo / Go to the mediabankBaltic Fleet naval parade in the Sea Canal of Baltiysk dedicated to Russia's Navy Day.
Baltic Fleet naval parade in the Sea Canal of Baltiysk dedicated to Russia's Navy Day.
© Sputnik / Igor Zarembo / Go to the mediabankDuring the general rehearsal for a naval parade on RF Navy Day in Baltiysk.
During the general rehearsal for a naval parade on RF Navy Day in Baltiysk.
© Sputnik / Igor Zarembo / Go to the mediabankAmphibious assault vessel emerges from the large landing ship "Kaliningrad" during the rehearsal for the parade in honor of Navy Day.
Amphibious assault vessel emerges from the large landing ship "Kaliningrad" during the rehearsal for the parade in honor of Navy Day.
A Varshavyanka class diesel-electric submarine in commission during a general rehearsal of the parade for the Russian Navy Day in Vladivostok.
During the general rehearsal for a naval parade on RF Navy Day in Baltiysk.
During the general rehearsal for a naval parade on RF Navy Day in Baltiysk.
Baltic Fleet naval parade in the Sea Canal of Baltiysk dedicated to Russia's Navy Day.
During the general rehearsal for a naval parade on RF Navy Day in Baltiysk.
Amphibious assault vessel emerges from the large landing ship "Kaliningrad" during the rehearsal for the parade in honor of Navy Day.