You're reading: New York Times: Russia showcases global ambitions with military parades, 1 in Syria

New York Times: Russia showcases global ambitions with military parades, 1 in Syria

Published July 30, 2017 at 5:11 pm

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony for Russia's Navy Day in Saint Petersburg on July 30. President Vladimir Putin oversaw a pomp-filled display of Russia's naval might as the Kremlin paraded its sea power from the Baltic Sea to the shores of Syria. Some 50 warships and submarines were on show along the Neva River and in the Gulf of Finland off the country's second city of Saint Petersburg after Putin ordered the navy to hold its first ever parade on such a grand scale.

Photo by AFP

MOSCOW — Russia’s global military ambition was on display Sunday when the country celebrated Navy Day with large military parades not only in St. Petersburg, but also on the banks of Syria.

The parades of ships, submarines and aircraft were held at Russian naval bases in Sevastopol, which was annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, and at Tartus in Syria, where Russia is expanding its military presence.