The Day of the Workers of the Ukrainian Navy (Ukrainian: День працівників морського та річкового флоту України), also known as Navy Day, is a holiday in Ukraine. The holiday celebrates the founding of the Ukrainian Navy.[4] Navy Day is a professional holiday that is celebrated on every first Sunday of July.[1]

Navy Day
Navy Day 2016 in Odesa.
Official nameДень працівників морського та річкового флоту України
Observed byUkraine
TypeNational
CelebrationsCeremonies at naval bases around Ukraine.
DateFirst Sunday of July[1]
2023 dateJuly 2  (2023-07-02)
2024 dateJuly 7  (2024-07-07)
2025 dateJuly 6  (2025-07-06)
2026 dateJuly 5  (2026-07-05)
Frequencyannual
Navy Day in Sevastopol in 2012. Due to the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation[nb 1] the Ukrainian Navy no longer has any presence in Sevastopol.[3]

History

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The commemoration was established in 1996 (then to be celebrated August 1).[citation needed] Till 2012 the day was celebrated on August 1.[5] From 2012 till 2015 Ukraine had the same date for its Navy Day as Russia (the last Sunday of July[6]) and the Soviet Union (like Russia, Ukraine is a former Soviet republic); the Soviet Union introduced its Navy Day in June 1939; the date was chosen because of a connection with the day the Battle of Gangut took place.[7][8] On 24 August 2014 Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko declared that Ukraine should not celebrate the holidays of the "military-historical calendar of Russia" but "We will honor the defenders of our homeland, not someone else's".[9] On 12 June 2015 a Presidential decree by Poroshenko moved Ukraine's Navy Day to every first Sunday of July.[1]

Commemorations

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The national leadership and the ranks of the Ukrainian Navy usually congratulate sailors on this professional holiday. Many distinguished employees are awarded with state awards, military ranks, commemorative gifts, government diplomas and official words of gratitude from their command. A naval parade is usually held at the port of Odesa.[10] The parade inspection is done from the Ukrainian frigate Hetman Sahaydachniy.[11]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Since the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, the status of the Crimea and of the city of Sevastopol is under dispute between Russia and Ukraine; Ukraine and the majority of the international community considers the Crimea and Sevastopol an integral part of Ukraine, while Russia, on the other hand, considers the Crimea and Sevastopol an integral part of Russia, with Sevastopol functioning as a federal city (Russian authorities are in control of both).[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Ukrainian Navy to celebrate its holiday on first Sunday of July – decree, Interfax-Ukraine (12 June 2015)
  2. ^ UKRAINE REPORTS RUSSIAN MILITARY ACTIVITY ON CRIMEA BORDER, Newsweek (8 August 2016)
    Gutterman, Steve (18 March 2014). "Putin signs Crimea treaty, will not seize other Ukraine regions". Reuters.com. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
    Ukraine crisis timeline, BBC News
    UN General Assembly adopts resolution affirming Ukraine's territorial integrity Archived 2018-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, China Central Television (28 March 2014)
  3. ^ US Official: Ukraine Navy Shadow of Itself Since Crimea Annexation, Voice of America (2 September 2015)
  4. ^ В Севастополе отмечают День флота Украины. ukranews.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2017-09-20.
  5. ^ The Global Road Warrior: 100 Country Handbook for the International Business Traveler by Joe Reif, World Trade Press, 2001, ISBN 1-885073-86-0
  6. ^ Russia Showcases Global Ambitions With Military Parades, One in Syria, New York Times (30 July 2017)
  7. ^ The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Navy in the Baltic 1921–1941 by Gunnar Åselius, Routledge, 2005, ISBN 0-7146-5540-6
  8. ^ President signs Decree On Celebration of Some Memorable Dates and Professional Holidays Archived 2012-01-22 at the Wayback Machine, President.gov.ua (30 December 2011)
  9. ^ (in Ukrainian) Poroshenko: Ukraine will never celebrate February 23 Archived 2014-08-25 at the Wayback Machine, TVi (24 August 2014)
    English-language translation of Poroshenko's Independence Day remarks in Kyiv, Kyiv Post (24 August 2014)
  10. ^ "В Одесі на військовому параді покажуть український флот і чекатимуть на Порошенка".
  11. ^ "On the Day of the Ukrainian Navy, the President inspected the passage of warships and equipment".