Since the formation of the Old Russian state with its capital in Novgorod, sea voyages began in the Baltic. Then there was no separate navy and military detachments were kept on merchant boats, which did not prevent them from defending the famous route “from the Varangians to the Greeks” from the Livonian knights and other enemies along the entire waterway to Ladoga, one of the oldest cities in the North of Russia. In the 12th century, the Russians settled on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, and it became part of the Hanseatic Novgorod. All subsequent centuries continued the constant confrontation with the Livonians and the Swedes for dominance in the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea.
Long-term wars continued for decades, and with the advent of Ivan the Terrible, the wars continued even more actively. The Livonian War, which began in 1558, initially brought victories to Russian weapons and Narva was captured, which became the main trading port leading to the West. Sweden and Poland lost large incomes from Russian merchants who sold their goods in Reval and Narva, so the Swedish War began. During the war, the Danish allies entered into negotiations with the Swedes, after which their troops captured Narva and, according to the truce concluded in 1583, the Moscow kingdom lost not only Narva, but the entire coast of the Gulf of Finland.
The seventeenth century in Russia began with the upheavals of the Time of Troubles, the almost complete destruction of the state and decades of restoration under the autocratic rule of the Romanov dynasty. In the second half of the century, the troops of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich fought against the Swedes, but with little success, the defeats were more serious, and this led to the final loss of access to the sea. Even Ivan-gorod was given to the enemy.
Creation of the Russian fleet on the Baltic Sea
The new history of the Russian presence in the Baltic began with the coming to the kingdom of Peter I. The young tsar listened attentively to foreigners who served in Moscow and merchants sailing to Russia, as a result of which he fell in love with the sea, having never seen it.
In the war for Azov, Peter created the first Russian fleet, but he became the forerunner of Russia's naval power in the Baltic Sea. In 1696, the Boyar Duma sentenced: "Sea ships to be ..." and this can safely be called the birthday of the Russian Navy. The main idea of the tsar-reformer was a "window to Europe", which means the final exit to the Baltic and strengthening on it. The war with Sweden, which lasted from 1700 to 1721, forced Russia to completely rebuild and learn many previously outlandish things, including the construction of real sea vessels. After the high-profile victories of the Russian army and reaching the shores of the Gulf of Finland, by order of the tsar, the city of St. Petersburg was founded at the mouth of the Neva, all the occupied Swedish fortresses were restored and several shipyards were laid down.
In the war with Sweden on the rivers and along the coast of the Gulf of Finland, many small ships built on the Volkhov and other small rivers participated. Large sea frigates were laid down at the new shipyards, the first ship of the Baltic Fleet was called Shtandart and was launched on August 22, 1703. A little later, the time came for victories and the first, albeit a small victory, was the capture of two Swedish ships under the Nyenschanz fortress: the Gedan galliot and the Astrild shnyava. This modest victory meant that the squadron of the Swedes stood at the mouth of the Neva for the summer and, not daring to enter with battles, went to its shores in the fall. Meanwhile, St. Petersburg was already under construction on Hare Island and the Admiralty shipyards were being built. This symbolic victory has become a significant date and now May 18 is the Day of the Baltic Fleet.
The Swedish navy continued to attempt cannon attacks and amphibious landings, but always left with heavy losses - Russia was firmly fortified on the Baltic coast. By 1710, already 250 rowing ships blocked Vyborg from the sea, besieged by ground forces, and with this help it was taken. The first full-fledged battleship, launched in 1712, received the name "Poltava" in honor of the defeat of the Swedish ground forces near the town of Poltava. The final blow to Swedish dominance in the Baltic Sea was delivered in the naval battle off Cape Gangut, when the Swedish squadron, consisting of the best ships, was completely defeated. In all military operations of the Russian army in the past decade, the boarding rowing fleet, which can be called Peter the Great, took the most effective part.
The Russian Empire is a maritime power
By 1725, the Baltic Fleet included 646 sailing ships and rowing galleys. This and military successes made it possible to call the Moscow kingdom a maritime power - the Russian Empire, which became the mistress in the Baltic and on the northern coast of the state.
The best accomplishments of Peter the Great in the Baltic can be called:
- Creation of a powerful fleet;
- Victories at Gangut, Ezel, Grengam;
- The capture with the support of the fleet of Revel (Tallinn), Riga, Vyborg, Helsingfors (Helsinki), Abo and the Moosund Islands;
- Foundation of St. Petersburg and Kronstadt - the first naval base of the Russian fleet.
For many subsequent decades and the entire nineteenth century, the Baltic Fleet showed power to the whole world, and the best admirals and officers made the greatest contribution to the development of Russian weapons and the development of the oceans. History remembers the names of the great naval commanders and pioneers of new overseas territories and the commanders of ships that circumnavigated the world, raising the proud flag of the Baltic Fleet in the southern and northern latitudes, on the islands of Oceania, in Alaska, off the coast of Antarctica and in other places. The greatness of the Russian Baltic Fleet is evidenced by 432 discoveries around the globe, which are marked on the globe with the names of 98 best people - admirals and officers of the Baltics.
The First World War engulfed the Baltic Sea, Russian sailors in fierce battles destroyed more than 100 German ships and transport ships. Under the most difficult conditions, the fleet was able to defeat Germany and its allies, winning most of the battles for the Baltic and the cities on its coast, including Petrograd. And already in the days and months, when the foreign naval intervention of 1918-1922 was undertaken, the Baltics were able to hold the sea lines and did not allow the enemy to the capital.
Creation and development of the Red Fleet in the Baltic
The Baltic Fleet in the First World War, civil confrontation and intervention lost almost all ships and port infrastructure. The first years after the revolution of Soviet power were not up to the restoration of the fleet, as it was necessary to overcome the devastation and create a new state of justice and peace. But by the end of the twenties, a hostile environment forced the authorities to take action. The real rise of the Baltic Fleet fell on the thirties, when modern ships were created at the Leningrad shipbuilding enterprises according to new projects. Vessels were launched and equipped with the best weapons. During these years, the Baltic Fleet became the center of engineering and design thought, from here advanced ships, the latest equipment, weapons and trained naval crews, brought up in the spirit of the Baltic sailors, came to all the fleets of the Soviet Union. By the end of the thirties, the powerful Red Banner Baltic Fleet was defending the Motherland.
Participation of the Baltic Fleet in the Great Patriotic War
From the first day of the Great Patriotic War, the Baltic Fleet entered into a fierce struggle with the Navy of Nazi Germany. All these years, the command of the Baltic Fleet under the leadership of Admiral V.F. Tributs developed operations for the participation of all forces in the defense of Leningrad, destroyed enemy communications, and conducted naval battles with ships and submarines. Baltic sailors fought in large numbers as part of the ground forces, heroically defending Hanko, the Moonsund Islands, and the shores of the Gulf of Finland. Later, the sailors smashed the Baltic ports of the Nazis already in Germany. Many books have been written and films made about the heroism of the fleet, but there is much to write and show. During the years of the Second World War, the forces of the Baltic Fleet destroyed 1205 units of the fascist fleet, shot down 2418 Luftwaffe aircraft and carried out 24 successful landing operations.
In honor of the Great Victory, the Red Banner Baltic Fleet was awarded the second Order of the Red Banner. For heroic deeds in the defense of the Motherland from the enemy, 24 formations and ships received the honorary title of Guards. The Soviet people highly appreciated the maritime fraternity of the Baltics and the personal courage of the Red Navy, so in Leningrad, Kronstadt and other cities, sailors are greatly loved by the inhabitants.
Post-war development of the Baltic Fleet
During the years of the Great Patriotic War, the Baltic Fleet suffered serious losses, and, embarking on the path of peaceful restoration of the country, the Soviet government invested huge forces in developing the might of the army and navy. The aggressive policy of the United States, which openly opposed the USSR and other countries that were part of the Warsaw bloc, forced them to spend additional resources. The influence of the American, submarine and surface fleet in all the seas of the world's oceans increased, and in the fifties it began to be equipped with missiles with nuclear warheads. The Soviet Armed Forces were supposed to restore nuclear parity, and scientific personnel did everything to ensure that rocket launchers were on duty in the fleets and other units. The Soviet Union created a powerful Navy:
- Russian ships plowed the seas;
- long-range naval aviation of the anti-submarine class was on duty in the sky;
- Soviet ballistic missile submarines became a real threat to the United States.
We were forced to talk with our country, and this balance was maintained until the collapse of the USSR.
The current state of the Baltic Fleet
The nineties and zero years, destructive for the Russian Armed Forces, remained in history, when the fleet was destroyed with their own hands, deeds were belittled, and the importance of the contribution of the Baltic Fleet in the development of Russia as a great maritime power decreased. From the middle of two thousand and ten years, a gradual rise in the military power of the country began. The Navy returned to the expanses of the World Ocean and won its positions in protecting the military-strategic and economic interests of the country. Surface and submarine nuclear missile forces are on duty in all corners of the globe, and the headquarters of the Baltic Fleet is constantly working to improve the skills and combat skills of the crews. Today's Russian fleet is a formidable force that all maritime powers reckon with, and the United States is forced to recognize equality and respect our sailors. Commanders of the Baltic Fleet, admirals, officers and sailors have made a huge contribution to the victorious development of the Russian Navy from the time of Peter the Great to the present day. For more than 300 years, Baltic sailors have served as an example to all other Russian fleets, so the Day of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Navy is celebrated as the most important national holiday.
Baltic Fleet of the Russian Navy
Patch of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Navy
general information
Number of members
Technics (as of 2014):
- Underwater equipment - 2;
- Surface equipment - 41.
Military conflicts
Order of the Red Banner
Story
Pre-Petrine era
Sea trips of Novogorodsk people in the Baltic
The Baltic Sea was of strategic importance immediately with the advent of statehood on the territory of Russia. From here began the internationally significant route from the Varangians to the Greeks. On the northern section of this route were located one of the oldest Russian cities - Ladoga and the first capital of Russia - Novgorod. There were no special military fleets in the armed forces of Novgorod. For military operations in the fleet, ordinary merchant ships were used.
The following types of vessels are known: skedia, busa, shitik, “ship”, slaughterhouse, plow and canoe. Each boat with a crew was a separate combat unit, the personnel of which was divided into dozens. The rooks were united in detachments, several detachments made up the fleet headed by the prince. The main tactical method of naval combat was boarding.
Livonian War
In July 1557, by decree of Ivan the Terrible, the construction of the first Russian port in the Baltic began. Dmitry Semyonovich Shastunov supervised the construction. The port was built in the shortest possible time, and soon the royal decree forbade Novgorod and Pskov merchants from trading in the Livonian cities of Narva and Revel. From now on, they had to wait for the "Germans" in their land.
In 1558 Ivan the Terrible started the Livonian War. Having lost income from the transit of Russian goods, Sweden and Poland launched a wide marque activity in the Baltic Sea against ships going to Narva. In order to counter them, Ivan the Terrible in March 1570 issued a royal charter to the Dane Carsten Rode. The diploma determined the procedure for dividing the booty, assigned a salary to the team, ordered:.
Russo-Swedish War 1656-1658
In the campaign of 1656, Russian troops acted in two directions. The main forces operated along the Western Dvina, advancing towards Riga. In February 1656, in the Smolensk district, the construction of a flotilla of 600 plows began to transport troops. By July, the construction of the flotilla was completed. The planes had a length of 16 to 35 meters and could accommodate up to 50 soldiers. Other ships were used to deliver food, evacuate the wounded and sick. On July 31, Dinaburg was taken, on August 14 - Kokenhausen. Boyar Afanasy Lavrentievich Ordin-Nashchokin founded a shipyard in Tsarevich-Dmitriev and began building ships for sailing on the Baltic Sea. On August 21, the siege of Riga began. However, Riga failed to take. Another detachment of Russian troops was to clear Izhora of the Swedes and take possession of the mouth of the Neva, after which Potemkin was given the task of going to Stockholm.
The birth of the fleet
The merit in the creation of the Baltic Fleet rightfully belongs to Peter I. At the end of the 17th century, a funny flotilla was created by Peter I on Lake Pleshcheyevo. In January 1696, in preparation for the Second Azov campaign, large-scale shipbuilding was launched at the shipyards of Voronezh and Preobrazhensky. The disassembled galleys built in Preobrazhensky were delivered to Voronezh, where they were assembled and launched into the water. In addition, engineering specialists were invited from Austria. Over 25 thousand peasants and townspeople were mobilized from the nearest district for the construction of the fleet. 2 large ships, 23 galleys and more than 1300 plows, barges and small ships were built. Lefort was placed at the head of the fleet. The flagship of the flotilla is the 36-gun ship Apostol Peter. In May 1696, the Russian flotilla blocked Azov from the sea. July 19, 1696 the fortress surrendered. On October 20, 1696, the Boyar Duma proclaims:This date can be considered the birthday of the Russian regular navy. An extensive shipbuilding program is being approved - 52 ships. To finance the construction of the fleet, new types of taxes were introduced: landowners were united in the so-called kumpanships of 10 thousand households, each of which had to build a ship with their own money.
In the summer of 1699, the first large Russian ship, the Fortress, took the Russian ambassador to Constantinople for peace negotiations. The very existence of such a ship persuaded the Sultan to conclude peace in July 1700, which left the fortress of Azov behind Russia. In 1697 - 1698, as part of the Great Embassy in Holland, Peter I worked as a carpenter at the shipyards of the East India Company, with the participation of the tsar, the ship "Peter and Paul" was built.
North War
The beginning of the war was extremely unfortunate for the Russian army, starting with a defeat near Narva. However, Charles XII later sent his troops against the allies of Russia, which gave Peter I the necessary respite. In 1701, construction began on 600 plows on the Volkhov and Luga rivers. More than 300 river vessels and boats were built at the Novgorod shipyard on the Pola River, which flows into Lake Ilmen. All suitable private vessels on the Ladoga and Onega lakes, the Svir and Volkhov rivers were taken into the treasury. Soon the Swedish flotillas were forced out of Lake Ladoga, Pskov and Peipsi.
In the winter of 1702, the construction of a shipyard began on the Syas River, which flows into Lake Ladoga. In the same 1702, the Olonets shipyard was laid on the Svir River. On August 22, 1703, the first ship of the line, the 28-gun frigate Shtandart, was launched at the Olonets shipyard. Another shipyard is laid down on the Volkhov River. The ships built on the Syas River and at the Olonets shipyard laid the foundation for the Baltic Fleet. As a result of the Northern War, Russia regained access to the Baltic Sea. During the Northern War, a network of bases for the fleet was created, the main of which was St. Petersburg. The forward naval base was Revel. In 1723, the construction of the Kronstadt naval base was completed, which since 1724 became the main base of the fleet.
First half of the 18th century
Baltic Fleet after the end of the Northern War
According to the state of 1720, the composition of the ship fleet should have consisted of:
- three 90-gun ships of the line
- four 80-gun
- two 76-gun
- twelve 66-gun
- six 50-gun
- six 32-gun frigates
- three 16-gun
- three 14-gun guns.
Baltic Fleet in the reign of Anna Ioannovna
Upon her accession to the throne and the abolition of the Supreme Privy Council, Empress Anna Ioannovna, with her first decrees, turned to the problem of restoring the fleet. On July 21 (August 1), 1730, the Empress issued a nominal decree:In December 1731, the Empress ordered the resumption of regular exercises in the Baltic Fleet with access to the sea in order to:
In January 1731, a new 66-gun ship Slava Rossii was laid down at the Admiralty Shipyards, two more ships were laid down in February and March 1732. According to the state of 1732, 66-gun ships became the main ships in the ship fleet, which were supposed to make up 59.3% of the fleet. In doing so, the commission proceeded from the following considerations:
- the design features of Russian 66-gun ships allowed them to carry guns of the same caliber as the guns of 70-gun ships of foreign fleets;
- 66-gun ships already exist in the fleet, and upon their retirement, part of their equipment and artillery can be used to equip new ships, and artillery and equipment accounted for 28.6-38.3% of the cost of the entire ship.
Opposing Coalitions in Europe 1756
Second half of the 18th century
Seven Years' War
1757
On April 17, Empress Elizabeth issued a decree sending the Reval squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Lewis to the coast of Courland to blockade the Prussian ports of Memel, Pillau and Koenigsberg. On April 29, a squadron of Rear Admiral Lewis, consisting of 6 battleships and 3 frigates, left Revel for the Prussian coast. On May 1, the Kronstadt squadron of 1 battleship, 2 frigates, 2 bombardment ships, 2 prams goes to sea. On May 31, the main forces of the fleet under the command of Admiral Mishukov left Kronstadt, consisting of 11 battleships, 1 frigate, 1 firewall and 1 hospital ship to blockade Prussian ports. The galley fleet in the company of 1757 was engaged in the delivery of troops and supplies for the Russian army in East Prussia. On August 22, a detachment of 10 galleys at the entrance to Kurish-Gaf at the mouth of the Labio River had a skirmish with a Prussian coastal battery during which they suppressed it.
1758
After receiving information from the Russian ambassador from London in the spring of 1758 about the preparation of a squadron by the British Admiralty, a decision was made to send the Russian and Swedish squadrons to the Danish straits to counter the English squadron. July 9 at about. Bornholm, the Russian fleet, consisting of 17 battleships and 5 frigates, connected with the Swedish squadron, consisting of 6 battleships and 3 frigates, and under the general command of Admiral Mishukov headed for Sound, where he took up a position near Amager Island near Copenhagen. Here he stayed until the beginning of September, when it became obvious that the English squadron would not appear in the Baltic this year. At the same time, part of the forces of the Russian fleet was involved in blocking the Prussian coast, controlling river mouths, intercepting Prussian transports, and supplying troops. In October 1758, the Russian corps of General Palmbach began the siege of Kolberg. It was decided to supply the troops by sea. However, due to autumn storms, this was not feasible. Of the 27 chartered merchant ships sent in October from Riga, Memel and Konigsberg to Kolberg, 11 perished with their crews, and most of the rest were scattered in different ports.
Early 20th century
1917-1941
During the years of the Civil War and foreign military intervention, the sailors of the Baltic Fleet defended the approaches to the capital - Petrograd, up to 20 thousand sailors fought on all land fronts. It was they who constituted the main force of the Soviet navy in various sea and river theaters. In 1919, while defending Petrograd, the Baltic Fleet sank 18 and damaged 16 ships of the British invaders. Since 1918, the Baltic Fleet has been called the Naval Forces of the Baltic Sea. By 1921, the Baltic Fleet ceased to exist as a combat-ready formation. After the Civil War, the Baltic Fleet began to rearm - dozens of the latest ships, naval aviation aircraft, and long-range coastal defense guns entered service. February 23, 1928 the fleet was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. Since 1935, the Naval Forces of the Baltic Sea have again become known as the Baltic Fleet. During the Soviet-Finnish war, the Baltic Fleet assisted the troops in the offensive on the Karelian Isthmus and occupied the islands of Hogland, Lavensaari, and Seskar.
1941-1945
The Baltic Fleet entered the Great Patriotic War with two battleships, two cruisers, 19 destroyers, 65 submarines, 656 aircraft and other weapons. So the Baltics under the command of Admiral Vladimir Tributs were ready to fight the Nazi invaders. The sailors of the Baltic Fleet defended the Moonsund Islands, Tallinn and the Hanko Peninsula, carried out the Tallinn crossing, took an active part in the defense of Leningrad in 1941-1944, in 1944-1945. in the defeat of the Nazi troops near Leningrad, in the Baltic states - the Baltic operation, in East Prussia and East Pomerania. Defending the Motherland, the Baltics sank 1205 warships, transports and auxiliary vessels, destroyed 2418 enemy aircraft. More than 82 thousand sailors were awarded high state awards, 173 Baltics were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, including four twice.
Second half of the 20th century
In 1946, changes took place in the structure of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet: it was divided into two fleets - the South-Baltic and the North-Baltic, but in December 1955 the fleet was restored to its previous structure. Since the beginning of the 1950s, the capabilities of the fleet have increased markedly: this was due both to the development of new nuclear missile weapons and to the replenishment of the fleet with missile ships and jet aircraft. The ships of the Baltic Fleet began to perform combat missions in the North and Mediterranean Seas, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. On May 7, 1965, the heroic Baltic Fleet received the second Order of the Red Banner for outstanding services to the Motherland, mass heroism and courage shown in the fight against the Nazi invaders. At the beginning of 1991, the Baltic Fleet of the USSR Navy was the largest fleet in the Baltic Sea region and included 232 warships, including 32 diesel submarines, 328 combat aircraft and 70 helicopters, 16 launchers of coastal missile units, coastal defense and marine infantry formations , formations and parts of operational, rear and technical support. The main bases for the fleet were: Baltiysk, Swinoujscie, Daugavgriva and Liepaja, Tallinn and Paldiski. The fleet also had several mobile bases on the territory of the RSFSR, the GDR, the Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian Soviet socialist republics. The Baltic Fleet aviation had ten main airfields, on which the 240th and 170th naval attack air regiments and the 145th separate anti-submarine aviation squadron were based, as well as 13 alternate airfields intended for the distribution of forces and maneuver. Ship repair of the ships of the Baltic Fleet was carried out by four shipyards: the 7th SRZ, the 29th SRZ, the 33rd SRZ and the 177th SRZ.
Modernity
The modern Baltic Fleet is a diverse operational-strategic territorial association, which includes naval forces, naval aviation, air defense systems, coastal troops, unified operational, technical and logistics support agencies. The basis of the ship composition of the Baltic Fleet are two destroyers of project 956 "Persistent" and "Restless". They were commissioned in the early 1990s. In 2000-2010 ships of the fleet made visits and business calls to more than 100 seaports in Europe, Asia, America and Africa, successfully participated in international exercises. In the 2000s The combat strength of the fleet was replenished with modern ships equipped with the latest weapons and technical equipment: the Yaroslav the Wise patrol ship, the Steregushchy and Soobrazitelny corvettes, and the St. Petersburg diesel submarine. In 2013, the Boikiy serial corvette entered the fleet. In the near future, the fleet will include: both the Stoykiy and the frigate Admiral Gorshkov. In 2014, a significant part of the ships and vessels of the Baltic Fleet will be equipped with new marine navigation aids. In particular, the ships will be equipped with the latest hydro-meteorological complexes "Kharakter-K", electronic cartographic navigation information systems "Alaska" and "Segment", gyro-heading indicators "GKU-5", integrated small-sized navigation and stabilization systems "Kama", shipboard receiver indicators "Kvitok" . It is also planned to carry out work on the modernization of logs and magnetic compasses. In total, during 2014, more than 30 units of various marine navigation aids will be installed on ships and vessels of the fleet. According to a message dated July 2, 2014, BF rescuers began installing the latest deep-sea submersible Panther Plus, capable of operating at a depth of up to 1000 m in strong currents, on board the KIL-926 "Alexander Pushkin" lifeboat. At the beginning of next week, the first trial descents of the Panther are planned in the base conditions. After that, the specialists of the rescue team will begin to work out practical tasks to search for and raise various sunken objects in the open sea. According to a message dated 08/05/2014, the Panthera Plus complex was put into operation. In the autumn of 2015, the reconstruction of the mooring front of the main naval base of the Baltic Fleet - the military harbor of Baltiysk, should be completed, after which it will be able to receive ships of any rank. Now the Baltic Fleet is the main training base for the Russian Navy and, along with the Northern Fleet, the 1st Air Force and Air Defense Command, the Moscow and Leningrad military districts, became part of the created Western Military District. On the basis of the 12th division of surface ships, the creation of the Operational Command in the North Atlantic is expected.
Basing system
Dislocation
- Headquarters Kaliningrad.
- Baltic naval base.
- Leningrad naval base.
- St. Petersburg.
- Kronstadt.
- Lomonosov.
BALTIC FLEET, operational-strategic association of the Navy in Russia and the USSR. It was created during the Northern War of 1700-21 after Russian troops established themselves at the mouth of the Neva River, returning Russia access to the Baltic Sea. The construction of ships for the Baltic Fleet began at the shipyards on the Syas River (1702), the Svir River and in Lodeynoye Pole (1703). The first base of the Baltic Fleet is St. Petersburg (since 1724, Kronstadt has become the main base). In 1703, the first ship entered the Baltic Fleet - the frigate Shtandart (the first sailing battleship Poltava, became part of the Baltic Fleet in 1712). Ships for the Baltic Fleet were built at the Admiralty shipyard in St. Petersburg, as well as at other Baltic shipyards, on the White Sea (Solombala shipyard) and were bought abroad. The Baltic Fleet assisted the Russian troops during the siege of Vyborg in 1710, the capture of Revel, Pernov and Riga in 1710, Helsingfors and Abo in 1713. He played a decisive role in the occupation of the Moonsund Islands by Russian troops in 1710 and Finland in 1712-13. He defeated the Swedes in the Battle of Gangut in 1714, the Battle of Ezel in 1719 and the Battle of Grengam in 1720, which allowed Russia to establish itself in the Baltic Sea and become a major maritime power. The actions of Russian ships and galleys in 1719-21 off the coast of Sweden influenced her willingness to conclude the Treaty of Nystadt in 1721. The forces of the Baltic Fleet were commanded by naval commanders F.M. Apraksin, N.F. Golovin, M.M. Golitsyn (1675-1730), N.A. Senyavin. In 1721, the Baltic Fleet included 32 battleships, about 100 other sailing ships and up to 400 rowing ships. Until the creation of the Black Sea Fleet in 1783, the Baltic Fleet was the only fleet of the Russian Empire.
During the Seven Years' War of 1756-63, the Baltic Fleet took part in the capture of Memel and Kolberg. During the Archipelago expeditions, the squadrons of the Baltic Fleet under the command of G. A. Spiridov, S. K. Greig, D. N. Senyavin, L. P. Heyden and others operated in the Mediterranean Sea, defeated the Turkish fleet in the Battle of Chesme in 1770 , the battle of Athos in 1807 and the battle of Navarino in 1827. In the Russian-Swedish war of 1788-90, the Baltic Fleet repulsed the attack of the Swedish fleet, which sought to capture Kronstadt and St. Petersburg, and won the Battle of Gogland in 1788, the Battle of Rochensalm in 1789 (see the Battle of Rochensalm), the Battle of Revel in 1790, the Battle of Krasnogorsk 1790 and the battle of Vyborg in 1790 (but was defeated in the second battle of Rochensalm in 1790). In 1826, the first armed steamship entered the Baltic Fleet, but until the middle of the 19th century it was based on sailing ships (26 battleships, 9 frigates), there were also 9 steam frigates, etc. In the beginning - the middle of the 19th century, ships of the Baltic Fleet participated in long-distance and round-the-world voyages, during which a number of geographical discoveries were made and knowledge in the field of oceanography was significantly expanded (expeditions of I.F. Kruzenshtern and Yu.F. Lisyansky, F.F. Bellingshausen, M.P. Lazarev, F.P. Litke , O. E. Kotzebue, G. I. Nevelsky and others).
During the Crimean War of 1853-56, the Baltic Fleet thwarted the attempts of the Anglo-French fleet equipped with steam ships to capture Kronstadt, Sveaborg, Helsingfors and blockade St. Petersburg from the sea. For the first time, Russian sailors successfully used minefields from anchor mines.
Since 1861, the construction of a steam armored fleet began in Russia for the Baltic Fleet. In 1877, the first seaworthy battleship Peter the Great entered the Baltic Fleet. By the end of the 19th century, the Baltic Fleet had 9 battleships, 20 coastal defense battleships and 11 armored cruisers. Since 1903, submarines (submarines) have entered service with the Baltic Fleet.
During the Russian-Japanese war of 1904-05, the 2nd and 3rd Pacific squadrons were formed from the Baltic Fleet, which made the most difficult transition of 18 thousand miles from the Baltic to the Far East, but then defeated in the Battle of Tsushima in 1905. The Baltic Fleet was restored during the Naval reforms of the 1900-10s. In 1912, aviation appeared in service with the Baltic Fleet.
During the First World War of 1914-18, the Baltic Fleet acted on the enemy's communications, supported ground forces, defended Petrograd from the sea, and carried out large-scale minefield operations, during which about 35,000 mines were delivered. The main base of the fleet was Helsingfors. In November 1914, the first Russian battleships-dreadnoughts of the Sevastopol type were included in the fleet. The Baltic Fleet carried out the Irben operation of 1915, participated in the Moonsund operation of 1917.
The sailors of the Baltic Fleet played a prominent role in revolutionary events, including the October Revolution of 1917.
Decree of the Council of People's Commissars of January 29 (February 11), 1918 included the Baltic Fleet in the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Fleet. In connection with the advance of the German troops to Tallinn, and then the Finnish troops to Helsingfors, the Ice Campaign of the Baltic Fleet of 1918 was made. In 1918-19, the Baltic Fleet fought against the English fleet, the white North-Western Army. A significant part of the personnel of the Baltic Fleet participated in the Kronstadt uprising of 1921. In April 1921, the Baltic Fleet was transformed into the Naval Forces of the Baltic Sea (since 1935 - the Red Banner Baltic Fleet).
In the interwar period, new ships, submarines, aircraft entered service with the Baltic Fleet, the Air Force of the Baltic Fleet was created, air defense and coastal defense (BO) were organized. Part of the personnel and ships of the Baltic Fleet became the basis for the creation of the Northern Fleet and the Pacific Fleet.
By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45, the Baltic Fleet included 2 battleships, 2 cruisers, 2 destroyer leaders, 19 destroyers, 48 torpedo boats, 69 submarines, 656 aircraft, defense and air defense formations, a marine infantry brigade (MP). The main base of the fleet was Tallinn. During the war, the Baltic Fleet, together with the ground forces, defended naval bases and coastal areas, including during the defense of Tallinn in 1941, the defense of the Moonsund Islands in 1941 and the defense of Hanko in 1941, acted on enemy communications. In August 1941, long-range bombers of the Baltic Fleet launched the first strikes on Berlin from the island of Saaremaa. The Baltic Fleet suffered heavy losses in ships and personnel in August 1941 during the Tallinn crossing to Kronstadt. Together with the ground forces, the fleet participated in the Battle of Leningrad in 1941-44, provided transportation on Lake Ladoga, took part in operations to break through (1943), and then completely lift the blockade (1944) of Leningrad. The Baltic Fleet carried out the Moonsund operation in 1944. The actions of the ships and aviation of the Baltic Fleet to support the ground forces and disrupt the enemy's sea communications in 1944-45 contributed to the defeat of the enemy on the Karelian Isthmus, in the Baltic States, East Prussia and East Pomerania. For military merit, over 20 ships and units of the Baltic Fleet became Guards, 58 were awarded orders. Over 100,000 Baltics have been awarded orders and medals, 137 have been awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
In February 1946, the Baltic Fleet was divided into the 4th and 8th fleets (in December 1955 it was restored to its previous organization). The Baltic Fleet was able to be based in the ports of the GDR and Poland. Since the 1950s, the Baltic Fleet, like the entire Soviet Navy, has been equipped with qualitatively new military equipment. The Baltic Fleet included diesel missile submarines, missile ships and missile-carrying aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons, as well as diesel torpedo submarines, destroyers, anti-submarine ships, missile boats, minesweepers, landing ships (including hovercraft), other medium and small craft, aircraft of various types.
By the beginning of 1991, the Baltic Fleet was the largest navy in the Baltic Sea region, had 232 warships (including 32 submarines), 328 aircraft and 70 helicopters, 16 launchers of coastal missile units, BO and MP formations, parts of the rear and technical support. After the collapse of the USSR, the forces of the Baltic Fleet were withdrawn from the territory of the former GDR, Poland, and the Baltic countries (the fleet lost up to 80% of its bases, 60% of enterprises, and about 50% of its barracks and housing stock). In 1995, the Leningrad Naval Base became part of the Baltic Fleet. Of particular importance was the protection of sea routes of communication with the isolated Russian enclave - the Kaliningrad region. The main base of the Baltic Fleet is the city of Baltiysk. By 2004, the Baltic Fleet had about 70 ships and submarines.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, in the Baltic Fleet, in fact, there were permanent positions only for squadron commanders, the fleet commander was appointed, as a rule, for the period of hostilities. The functions of managing the fleet on the shore were performed by the commanders of military ports. The first actual commander of the Baltic Fleet in May 1904 was Admiral A. A. Birilev, who was appointed chief commander of the Baltic Fleet and head of the naval defense of the Baltic Sea. In 1908, the post of Commander of the United Baltic Sea Detachments was established to manage the Baltic Fleet (since 1911 Commander of the Baltic Sea Naval Forces, since 1914 Commander of the Baltic Sea Fleet). The commanders of the Baltic Fleet were: I. O. Essen (1908-15), M. V. Viktorov (1921-24, 1926-32), L. M. Galler (1932-37), V. F. Tributs (1939- 46), Vice Admiral, since 1964 Admiral A. E. Orel (1959-67), Vice Admiral, since 1969 Admiral V. V. Mikhailin (1967-75), I. M. Kapitanets (1981-85 ), Vice Admiral, since 1987 Admiral V.P. Ivanov (1986-91) and others.
The Baltic Fleet was awarded 2 Orders of the Red Banner (1928, 1965).
Lit .: Veselago F.F. Essay on Russian maritime history. SPb., 1875. Part 1; Navy in the First World War. M., 1964. Vol. 1: Actions of the Russian fleet; The Red Banner Baltic Fleet in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945. M., 1981; Baltic, twice Red Banner. Vilnius, 1987; Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet. 3rd ed. M., 1990; The Red Banner Baltic Fleet in the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet people 1941-1945, 2nd ed. M., 1990-1992. Book. 1-4; Essays on the history of the Baltic Fleet. Kaliningrad, 1997-2003. Book. 1-6; Baltic Fleet: Three centuries in the service of the Fatherland. SPb., 2002.
Founded back in 1703 by Tsar Peter the Great, the Baltic Fleet is still an impressive argument in the policy of international relations of the Russian Federation.
The Baltic Fleet is part of the Western Military District. The fleet headquarters is located in the city of Baltiysk, Kaliningrad region. In addition, there is a ship basing point in the city of Kronstadt, Leningrad Region.
The composition of the Baltic Fleet includes:
The twelfth division of surface ships based in Baltiysk (Kaliningrad region), which includes:
- The 128th brigade of surface ships, which included the destroyers Persistent and Restless since 1991-91.
"Persistent", called "Moskovsky Komsomolets" until February 15, 1992 - the flagship of the Baltic Fleet, is the sixteenth destroyer of project 956-A "Sarych" or according to NATO classification - Sovremenny class destroyer. Left the slipway on January 19, 1991. Entered the fleet on December 30, 1992. Repeatedly took and takes part in exercises and maneuvers, both Russian and international.
Restless, like its brother Persistent, is a Project 956 destroyer. The total displacement of the ship is about 8 thousand tons, the maximum length is 156.5 meters, the width is 17.2 meters, the draft is 8.2 meters. The power of the power plant of 100 thousand horsepower, combined with two five-bladed propellers, provides the ship with a maximum speed of 33.4 knots. The range at maximum fuel in economy mode is four and a half thousand miles. The crew is 300 people. The standard armament consists of two twin AK-130/54 artillery mounts with an ammunition load of 2000 rounds, two anti-ship missile launchers of the P-270 Moskit system, two RBU-1000 rocket launchers (Smerch-2), two anti-aircraft missile launchers Uragan complexes, two torpedo tubes with 4 SET-65 torpedoes, as well as detection, guidance, jamming and tracking systems. There is also a deck helicopter Ka-27, designed to detect, track and destroy enemy submarines.
In addition, the 128th brigade includes patrol ships "Neustrashimy" of project 11540, in service since 1993, "Indomitable" of project 1135M, in service since 1977 and "Ardent" project 11352, in service since 1978.
Project 11540 ships have a total displacement of 4350 tons, a power plant of two propulsion and two afterburner gas turbine units with a total capacity of 57,000 horsepower provides a maximum speed of 30 knots. The armament of the ship is represented by the AK-100 artillery mount, 4x2 launchers of the Kh-35 anti-ship missiles, . 2x3 533-mm torpedo tubes, 1 RBU-6000 active jamming installation, 2 Vodopad-NK missile and torpedo systems. The anti-aircraft missile armament includes 4x8 Kinzhal anti-aircraft missile systems and 2 Kortik anti-aircraft missile and artillery systems. To combat submarines, there is a Ka-27 deck helicopter.
Project 1135 ships have a total displacement of 3190 tons, a power plant of two propulsion and two afterburner gas turbine units with a total capacity of 63.4 thousand horsepower provide a maximum speed of 32 knots. The armament is represented by the Angara-A (MR-310A) radar for detecting air and surface targets, the AK-100 twin 100-millimeter gun (ammunition load of 400 rounds), 1x4 Rastrub-B anti-submarine missile systems, 2x2 automated shipborne anti-aircraft missile systems "Osa-M", 2x4 533-mm torpedo tubes PTA-53-1135 (8 torpedoes 53-65K or SET-65).
Pylky was modernized according to project 1135.2: the Fregat radar system was installed, RBU-6000 was replaced with the Uran anti-ship missile system.
71st brigade of landing ships, which includes 3 large landing ships of project 775: BDK-43 "Minsk" (in service since 1983); BDK-58 "Kaliningrad" (in service since 1984); BDK-100 "Alexander Shabalin" (in service since 1986) and 1 large landing ship of project 775M "Korolev" (in service in 1992).
Project 775 landing ships have a total displacement of 4080 tons, a diesel power plant with a total capacity of 21 thousand horsepower, which allows the ship to move at a maximum speed of 17.8 knots. The armament consists of 2 universal twin ship artillery mounts of 57 mm caliber, 2 twin A-215 Grad-M ship mounts, 4 Igla portable anti-aircraft missile systems and 90 anti-ship mines.
36th Missile Boat Brigade, consisting of the 1st Guards Missile Boat Battalion and the 106th Small Missile Ship Battalion.
The 106th division includes small missile boats "Volna", "Rainbow", "Lightning", "Grad", "Shkval" (project 1234).
Project 1234 boats have the following performance characteristics:
Displacement - 700 tons;
Length / width / draft - 59.3 / 11.8 / 3.02 meters;
Power plant - diesel 3xM-507A, 10 thousand horsepower each;
Maximum speed - 35 knots;
Power reserve - 4000 miles;
Armament: twin 57-mm artillery mount AK-725, 6 anti-ship missile launchers P-120 "Malachite", 1 anti-aircraft missile system "Osa-M".
The 64th brigade of ships for the protection of the water area, which includes the 264th division of anti-submarine ships and the 323rd division of minesweepers.
- The 123rd submarine brigade, which includes three diesel submarines. Submarine B-227, project 877, in service since 1983, B-806, project 877 EKM, in service since 1986 and B-585 Saint Petersburg, project 677, in service since 2010.
Project 877 boats have the following performance characteristics:
Displacement underwater / surface - 3040/2300 tons;
Speed, underwater / surface - 19/10 knots;
The maximum allowable diving depth is 350 meters;
Autonomy - 45 days;
Power plant - diesel generators 2x1500 kilowatts;
Armament - 6x533 mm bow torpedo tubes, 18 torpedoes or 24 mines, the Turquoise ZM-54E1 missile launcher for fighting ships and submarines, and the Strela-ZM or Igla-1 anti-aircraft missile system.
Also in the composition of the Baltic Fleet are:
- 105th brigade of ships for the protection of the water area. The brigade includes the 109th division of small anti-submarine ships and the 22nd division of minesweepers.
- 336th Separate Guards Marine Brigade;
- 79th separate guards motorized rifle brigade, which includes: 319th separate guards motorized rifle battalion, 377th separate motorized rifle battalion, 386th separate motorized rifle battalion, 102nd separate tank battalion, 45th separate howitzer self-propelled artillery battalion and 483rd separate anti-aircraft missile and artillery division.
- 152nd Guards Rocket Brigade;
- 244th artillery brigade;
- 25th coastal missile brigade;
- 7th separate motorized rifle regiment;
- 22nd anti-aircraft missile regiment;
- 841st separate electronic warfare center;
- 302nd electronic warfare regiment;
- 9th Naval crew;
- 17th Naval crew;
- 127th separate marine engineering battalion;
- 522nd communication center.
In the mood I wanted to show these pictures here. Shooting - the end of July 2012, the city of Baltiysk, Kaliningrad region, where I rode to photograph the parade on the occasion of the Navy Day (photo report from the parade lies). But any trips to some naval base on the eve of the day of the fleet are just valuable in that there is an opportunity to film not only the parade itself and the rehearsals preceding it, but also all the “movement” that accompanies this - ships going to sea, returning, building ships from different angles and under different lighting, and just take a walk with a camera along the bays. Actually, here is the result of such shootings.
2. The fortress canal is a permanent base for all sorts of small minesweepers. In the photo - raid trawls of project 10750, the one in front (onboard 239) - RT-252. Both were fully involved in the parade and in all rehearsals.
3. Even smaller ones - raid minesweepers, project 12592. 
4. The inner harbor of Baltiysk, around eight in the morning. Another Baltic OVR in all its glory. Small anti-submarine ship "Kalmykia" pr. 1331M. 
5. Submarine "Magnitogorsk" project 877. Not local, from the north, ended up in Baltiysk for some reason. I accidentally managed to catch her at the exit from the Military Harbor. She went to sea for a couple of days on business. Then she returned and obediently stood in the front line. 
6. A very meditative activity - sunbathing on the pier from the opposite bank of the canal, from the Baltic Spit - sometimes brought results. This is the killer "Alexander Pushkin" returning to the base. 
7. The first two ships put into parade formation are the Guardian corvette (left) and the Korolev large landing ship (right). 
8. RTO "Downpour" pr. 12341. It passed, and through the loud broadcast from the bridge, the voice of the commander was heard - that the ship was going to St. Petersburg in order to participate in the celebration of the day of the fleet there. True, a couple of days before that there was information that the ships had already left for the parade from Baltiysk to St. Petersburg, including RTOs, another, Geyser. The answer will be below :) 
9. Hydrography. Hydrographic vessel "Hygrometer" pr. 860. 
10. Hardworking tugboat, "Cheerful", saw him very often. I went to the sea in the direction of another boat, which will be a little further away :) And in the background ... 
11. Here is this couple. With the pace that they were slowly and sadly returning to Baltiysk, I already thought that I would not take them off - it would get dark nafik. But no, they did manage to get drawn into the Baltic Canal until it was completely dark. And lucky with the sky. 
12. Vopchem, RTO "Geyser" did not reach St. Petersburg, it was instead of him that "Rain" went there. So a little military secret was revealed :) 
13. Again we return to the formation of ships. BDK "Korolev". 
14. Basic minesweeper BT-212 pr. 1265. 
15. Beauty and pride, stealth corvette "Guarding". In the glamorous pink rays of the sunset. 
16. BDK "Kaliningrad" at the exit to the sea. 
17. Another unexpected present. During my entire stay in Baltiysk, I saw him several times far out to sea, near the horizon, but now - I was lucky, and at the moment when I once again sunbathed on the pier, he decided to return.
Patrol ship pr. 11356, which are being built on the "Yantar" in Kaliningrad. St. Andrew's flag is only for a while - the ship is undergoing sea trials, and after that it is exported to the Indians. This is the second hull of the second trio of ships of this project ordered by the Indians, the Tarkash. 
18. Missile boat "Zarechny" project 12411. 
19. He, a couple of hours later. And completely different lighting. 
20. The long-suffering "Geyser", having not reached St. Petersburg, eventually got into the formation of ships in Baltiysk. 
21. "Guarding" again, in the beautiful sun. 
22. "Small" part of the formation of ships, its beginning. Minesweeper, border guard, missile boat, MRK. 
23. And once again "Guarding". A day or two before the parade, the illuminations were already turned on with might and main, on the occasion of which I got out for a walk along the embankment with a tripod. The most vivid impression - during these shootings, mosquitoes simply devoured me completely: (((( 
24. And another night shot, with a missile boat. 
25. Early, early, early in the morning, about six o'clock. An unscheduled rehearsal of the parade, and the ships participating in it, leave the Baltic Canal into the sea. And I - I sit and take pictures of the whole thing. The first to slip was the MPK-227. 
26. Alrosa. I have special feelings for this boat, it was unexpected and pleasant to see her here in Baltiysk. And she herself - from Sevastopol, at the moment - is the only active submarine of the Black Sea Fleet. 
27. Minesweepers in the sun, the most beautiful. "Sergei Kolbasiev"...
