A Ukrainian drone strike hit the Black Sea Fleet’s headquarters, leaving five people with shrapnel injuries, according to Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev on his Telegram channel. Navy Day events scheduled for July 31 have been postponed to ensure public safety.
“Early this morning, those supporting the conflict attempted to disrupt Navy Day for Sevastopol. An unidentified object entered the Fleet Headquarters courtyard, preliminarily identified as a drone. Five squadron headquarters members were injured, no fatalities reported. Medical help was provided to all, and the FSB is investigating conditions on site,” Razvozhaev stated.
The governor noted that two injuries were of moderate severity and three were minor. The FSB remained on the scene as investigations continued.
He urged residents to remain calm and stay indoors while security measures were reviewed.
The Black Sea Fleet press service reported that a low-power explosive device mounted on a makeshift drone was detonated within the headquarters grounds. Victims from shattered glass had already received assistance, the fleet said.
The governor later announced that the number of injured had risen to six.
there will be no vacation
City officials clarified that Navy Day in Sevastopol would proceed on July 31 in a shortened format, omitting the ships parade and the usual theatrical performances for security reasons.
“Most activities will take place at Grafskaya Pier. A formal gathering of the commander will precede a ship bypass, and the honoring ceremony for the boat named after Andrey Paliy will occur. Ship formations will not be staged; events at Grafskaya will be protocol in nature,” the officials explained.
Andrey Paliy, the deputy commander of the Black Sea Fleet and captain of the 1st rank, was killed in the Mariupol battles. Razvozhaev noted this tragedy on March 20 and outlined the plan to honor his memory.
Initially, the program included a prayer service at Vladimir Cathedral and the laying of flowers on the Memorial Wall commemorating the defense of Sevastopol in 1941-1942. A solemn meeting with the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Andrei Osipov, and a wreath-laying on the water were to occur at Grafskaya Pier, followed by concerts and fireworks to close the day.
No apologies were offered for the altered format; instead, officials stressed that the focus would remain on ceremonial observances and protocol engagements rather than large-scale public displays.
Navy Day in other cities
In Novorossiysk, another Black Sea Fleet base, officials had not yet decided on canceling or delaying the parade, pending security assessments.
Meanwhile, Vladivostok celebrated Navy Day on the Golden Horn Bay with a ship parade led by the Pacific Fleet commander, Admiral Sergei Avakyants, and the event concluded with a series of artillery salvos from the frigate Admiral Shaposhnikov.
There were no reported changes to the Northern Fleet’s program.
main parade
The principal naval parade was set to begin in St. Petersburg and Kronstadt, overseen by the president. The head of state was expected to review the fleet along the Gulf of Finland and the Neva River routes, including a Kronstadt land route review.
More than 40 ships, boats and submarines, along with 42 aircraft and over 3,500 personnel, were slated to participate. The event was scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m.
Officials indicated that the Commander-in-Chief would sign decrees ratifying the Naval Doctrine of the Russian Federation and the Ship’s Charter for the Russian Navy during the ceremony.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov, the Navy Doctrine would be adjusted to reflect changes in geopolitical and military-strategic conditions, expanding provisions to allow civilian ships and crews to participate in naval operations and ensuring wartime operation of naval infrastructure. He emphasized these changes aim to strengthen national security, not to provoke conflict.