Instead of Warships, a Submarine Poster: Russia Did Not Dare Hold Navy Day Parade

Russia’s authorities did not dare to hold the traditional naval parade in St. Petersburg to mark Russia’s Navy Day.

During dictator Vladimir Putin’s visit, as shown in footage published by IZ.RU, the backdrop featured only a large poster depicting a submarine instead of the actual fleet.

Instead of the customary parade of warships in St. Petersburg and Kronstadt, this year’s programme was limited to concerts, museum exhibitions and commemorative ceremonies.

Traditional celebrations will also not be held at other Russian naval bases in the Baltic, Black and Azov seas, as well as in the Arctic and the Pacific.

The decision is likely linked to the threat of a possible Ukrainian drone attack.

On the morning of 3 June, Ukrainian drones struck the Russian missile corvette Boykiy at the Kronstadt Naval Base in St. Petersburg.

At the time of the attack, the vessel was in the Veleshchynskyi Dry Dock. The ship entered scheduled maintenance in February 2026.