Warships of the Baltic Fleet cruised down the Neva River and under the bridges of St. Petersburg, in rehearsals for the upcoming Navy Day parade that will feature some of the newest russian vessels.
More than 40 warships, ranging from patrol boats and minesweepers to frigates and landing craft, are scheduled to take part in the second annual ship review, scheduled for Sunday.
In addition to the tricolor national flag, the ships are flying the Russian naval ensign: A blue St. Andrew’s cross on a white field, established by Emperor Peter I the Great.
Some of the vessels will be on show for the first time, like the state-of-the art intelligence ship Ivan Khurs, which was commissioned earlier this year.
The parade also features overflights by navy aircraft, such as the Su-33 and MiG-29K fighters and Ka-52K and Ka-27M helicopters.
Rehearsals are open to the public, and also took place in Kaliningrad and Sevastopol. This will be the second Navy Day parade in modern Russian history. The first was held on July 27, 2017.
READ MORE: Russia’s most powerful warships gear up for Navy Day (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
Navy Day is celebrated on the last Sunday in July.
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