Leadership: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Admirals of the Russian Fleet
(in order from sailor to high command) for the most part date back to those that appeared during the USSR period.
A bit of history - naval ranks and a table of ranks
As you know, in the last years of the reign of Peter I, the table of ranks was put into effect. It was a table where the positions of civil and military service were divided into fourteen ranks. However, naval ranks were not included in every row of the table.
XIV rank among naval ranks was received by a midshipman, corresponding to a collegiate registrar, ensign, cornet and artillery bayonet junker. At the beginning of the reign of Paul I, the rank of midshipman began to refer to the XII rank. This rank also included the rank of non-commissioned lieutenant that existed until 1732.
The naval lieutenant belonged to the X rank until 1884, after which the midshipman was promoted to this rank. The rank of lieutenant, in turn, began to refer to the IX rank.
People who managed to reach the VIII rank in the Navy Russian Empire acquired the right to personal nobility. These positions included captains of the first three ranks and a senior lieutenant who appeared in the fleet shortly before the First World War. The fifth rank included the rank of captain-commander, which was finally abolished in 1827. Among the famous bearers of this title was the pioneer Vitus Bering.
Achievement in the service of the IV rank opened the door to hereditary nobles in front of a person. In the navy, people who reached the fourth and higher ranks commanded naval formations: rear admiral, vice admiral, admiral and admiral general.
This also included the rank of Shoutbenakht, which did not take root on Russian soil, and was replaced by Rear Admiral. It is noteworthy that this naval rank was used as a pseudonym by the first Russian emperor himself - “Shoutbenacht Pyotr Mikhailov”. The III rank included the General-Kriegskommissar of the Fleet, whose duties included financial security sea forces. The title was abolished in 1817. The highest rank of Admiral General in the history of the Russian Empire was received by six people. Three of them were representatives of the imperial family.
Although the table of ranks ceased to be valid after the creation of the USSR, many ranks reappeared in the fleet of the Soviet Union and later Russian Federation.
Main categories of naval ranks
According to their composition, the employees of the navy can be divided into the following groups:
- Call and contract composition.
- junior officers.
- senior officers.
- senior officers.
Russian citizens passing military service in the navy, receive the rank of sailor. It roughly corresponds to a private in the ground forces. Sailors appeared in the fleet of the Soviet Union in 1946. Prior to this, the lowest military rank of the naval forces was called "Red Navy".
Next comes the title of "senior sailor", which corresponds to the "corporal" of the ground forces. The senior sailor commands the group or serves as assistant to the foreman. The rank of senior sailor can be obtained by employees who observe discipline and their duties well.
The four following ranks correspond to the sergeant ranks of the ground forces:
- Foreman of the first article.
- Sergeant major of the second article.
- Chief foreman.
- Chief ship sergeant major.
Following the foremen are "midshipman" and "senior midshipman". These naval ranks correspond to the ranks of warrant officer and senior warrant officer.
The modern division of naval ranks dates back to the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, issued in 1943. He approved the division of officers into junior, senior and higher. The decree included the ranks for each group that have survived to the present day.
The junior officers of the fleet of our country are called: junior lieutenant, lieutenant, senior lieutenant and lieutenant commander. Ensign can lead a combat post. More senior representatives of this category of officers may be assistant commanders of a ship of the fourth rank or even command such a ship.
Senior officers include captains of the first, second and third ranks. They can also be called captri, kavtorang and kaperang. These officers may be in command of military vessels of the appropriate rank.
In the modern Russian fleet, the rank warship is determined on the basis of the complexity of management, the number of personnel and combat power. The first rank includes cruisers, nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers. The second rank includes large landing ships, destroyers, large missile ships.
The third rank includes small missile and anti-submarine ships, medium landing ships, and minesweepers. The fourth rank includes small landing craft, torpedo boats.
The highest officer ranks of the fleet of our country were first established in 1940 by a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council. This is our familiar system:
In the ground forces, these ranks correspond (in ascending order) to major general, lieutenant general, colonel general and army general. A rear admiral may lead a squadron or serve as an assistant flotilla commander. A vice admiral may command a flotilla or an operational squadron, and also serves as a deputy fleet commander. An admiral is at the head of a separate fleet. AT modern Russia one Admiral of the Fleet who is Commander-in-Chief maritime forces our country.
The title "Admiral of the Fleet" was introduced in the Soviet Union in 1940. It corresponded to "general of the army." None of the naval commanders of the country of the Soviets received it at that moment. In fact, the highest rank was admiral.
In 1944, two naval commanders received it. The first was Nikolai Kuznetsov, who at that moment held the post of People's Commissar of the Fleet. He was a member of the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander, and Nikolai Kuznetsov's actions to command the country's fleet were successful. In 1945, the title of "Admiral of the Fleet" was given to Ivan Isakov, who led the main naval headquarters during the war years until he was wounded.
In 1955, an additional decree was issued that corrected the highest naval ranks of the country of the Soviets. To the title of "Admiral of the Fleet" was added "Soviet Union". The holders of this rank were entitled to wear the "Marshal Star" - a distinction introduced in 1940.
This highest naval rank was abolished in 1993, because the country that was mentioned in its name no longer existed. The highest rank of naval officers became again "Admiral of the Fleet".
Introduced in 1955, the rank was personal. In history Soviet state only three people received the title of "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union". Immediately after the introduction of a new military rank, it was received by N.G. Kuznetsov and I.S. Isakov. A year later, Kuznetsov fell into disgrace and lost his highest rank. He was returned to the naval commander posthumously during the years of Perestroika. In 1967, Sergei Gorshkov was awarded the highest naval rank, past the war in the rank of Rear Admiral and supervised the construction and rearmament of the fleet in the post-war years.
The rank of Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union corresponded in the 1960s-1990s to the rank of Marshal of the USSR. In turn, the "Admiral of the Fleet" who was below the rank corresponded to the general of the army and the marshal of the armed forces.
The commander-in-chief of the naval forces of our country can carry the rank of admiral or admiral of the fleet. So, the first naval officer who held this position in post-Soviet Russia, Felix Gromov, became commander-in-chief in 1992, being an admiral. He received the rank of Admiral of the Fleet four years later, shortly before his retirement.
The next commanders-in-chief (Vladimir Kuroyedov and Vladimir Masorin) took this post as admirals, and after that they received a higher rank. Vladimir Vysotsky and Vladimir Chirkov were commanders-in-chief, remaining in the rank of admiral. Also, the current commander-in-chief Vladimir Korolev retains the rank of admiral, received in 2013.
The chiefs of the Main Staff of the Fleet, who were the first deputies of the commander in chief, as a rule, bore the rank of vice admiral or admiral. Andrei Volozhinsky, who began serving in this post in 2016, retains the rank of vice admiral.
The navy of modern Russia became the successor to the navy. Most of the senior naval officers began their service in the Soviet fleet. For this reason, the ranks in the navy in modern Russia (in order from sailor to admiral) have not undergone fundamental changes compared to the Soviet period.
Story military ranks"Admiral of the Fleet" and "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union" is quite complicated and confusing. Suffice it to say that in different historical periods these ranks were equated with various land ranks, and only since 1962 did they coexist with each other (before that there was only one naval class higher than the rank of "admiral", which corresponded to colonel general).
When the general and admiral ranks were established in 1940, the rank of "Admiral of the Fleet" was introduced, which corresponded to the land rank of "General of the Army", however, unlike this latter, no one was awarded. Until May 1944, when the People's Commissar of the Navy N. G. Kuznetsov and the Chief of the Main Staff of the Navy I. S. Isakov became Admirals of the Fleet, the title of "Admiral" was actually the highest naval rank.
Thus, the ratio of the ranks of senior officers in the army and navy in 1940-1945. it was like this:
Marshal of the Soviet Union - (no rank)
colonel general - admiral
Here is what Nikolai Gerasimovich Kuznetsov tells about the further history of the titles "Admiral of the Fleet" and "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union", without which the latter, perhaps, would not have appeared:
“In 1944, unexpectedly for me, Stalin raised the question at the Headquarters of the Supreme Command about conferring me another rank. By this time, we did not have a rank higher than admiral, which means that there were no corresponding shoulder straps. I reported that in other fleets there is the rank of admiral fleet. "What will this be equal to in our Armed Forces?" - asked Stalin. I replied that if you follow the same sequence as in the army, then the admiral of the fleet should be assigned shoulder straps with four stars, but then this will not be the highest rank , which land commanders have, that is, the rank of marshal.
At the same time, it was decided to establish for the time being the rank of Admiral of the Fleet with four stars on shoulder straps, without indicating to whom this rank is assigned in the ground forces. So, I received the next rank of admiral of the fleet with shoulder straps unusual for the fleet. I wore them for a relatively short time. In May 1944, it was decided to replace these epaulettes with marshal's epaulettes, with one large star. And when the statutory issue was discussed and it was necessary to decide in the table of ranks who the admiral of the fleet was equal in his rights, then it was written in black and white: "Marshal of the Soviet Union."
Unfortunately, I can't put an end to this. Later (in 1948) I was stripped of this rank and for the second time put on the epaulettes of Rear Admiral. He received another promotion, being the commander of the Pacific Fleet (for the second time) in 1950, and after the death of Stalin, he was restored to his former rank of Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union (in 1953). After the war, the question arose: should the admiral of the fleet have and wear a marshal's star? I remember that Marshal Zhukov suggested changing the name to "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union" then. The government decided to make such an amendment to the highest rank of the Navy, and together with a group of marshals, I received a marshal's star from the hands of the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR K.E. Voroshilov. However, fortune turned against me once more, and I was demoted to vice admiral. I think this is a unique and only case in the history of all fleets. In the same place where I received the marshal's star, I returned it, retaining the rank of vice admiral ... "
Let us give the exact chronology of the events indicated by Kuznetsov: the title of "Admiral of the Fleet" and shoulder straps with four stars Kuznetsov and Isakov received on May 31, 1944 (this title, as we have seen, has existed in the Navy for four years, although it has not been awarded to anyone - here the admiral- the memoirist is mistaken), and the shoulder straps of the marshal type on May 25, 1945, and at the same time the title of "Admiral of the Fleet", as Nikolai Gerasimovich himself writes, was equated with the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union. He was demoted on February 3, 1948, reinstated in rank on May 11, 1953.
After the rank of "Admiral of the Fleet" in May 1945 was equated with the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union, an amazing situation developed: in the Navy, no rank corresponded to the general of the army, that is, the two highest naval ranks were no longer divided by one, but two classes :
Marshal of the Soviet Union - Fleet Admiral
army general - (no rank)
colonel general - admiral
lieutenant general - vice admiral
major general - rear admiral
The military rank "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union" was introduced on March 3, 1955; at the same time, the persons to whom it was assigned were instructed to wear the Marshal's Star. In fact, this was a renaming of the already existing rank of "Admiral of the Fleet": the new rank was assigned to exactly those military leaders who already had the old one, that is, N. G. Kuznetsov and I. S. Isakov. The addition of the words "Soviet Union" and the introduction of a new insignia in the form of the Marshal's Star apparently pursued the goal of further emphasizing equality with the title of "Marshal of the Soviet Union". It remained to take the last, logical step and again equate the "vacated" rank of "Admiral of the Fleet" with the rank of "General of the Army". This, however, was not done in 1955, and for another seven years the indicated "skew" in the Soviet "table of ranks" remained. Only in 1962 the rank of "Admiral of the Fleet" was restored and filled the empty cell in the table:
Marshal of the Soviet Union - Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union
general of the army - admiral of the fleet
colonel general - admiral
lieutenant general - vice admiral
major general - rear admiral
After Kuznetsov was again demoted (February 17, 1956), Isakov remained the only naval marshal. Two weeks after Isakov's death, on October 28, 1967, this title was awarded to Kuznetsov's successor as Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Sergei Georgievich Gorshkov, who carried it until his death in 1988. Since that time, the Admirals of the Fleet of the Soviet Union were no longer in the Navy.
The restored title of "Admiral of the Fleet" in 1962-1989 was awarded repeatedly: to the Commanders-in-Chief (S.G. Gorshkov and his successor V.N. Chernavin), Deputy Commanders-in-Chief, Chiefs of the Main Staff of the Navy and some commanders of the fleets. In total (not counting Kuznetsov, Isakov and Gorshkov) the title of "Admiral of the Fleet" was carried by 9 military leaders.
After the USSR ceased to exist, the rank of Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union was abolished; in the modern Russian fleet, the highest rank is admiral of the fleet (corresponding to the land rank of general of the army). Thus, the ratio of the highest ranks of the army and navy, which existed in 1940-1945, was restored.
In 1962-1997, Soviet (and then Russian) admirals of the fleet wore insignia close to those of marshals of military branches. Instead of shoulder straps with four stars, shoulder straps with one large star were introduced, and the Marshal's star of a "small" sample was worn on a tie with full dress. This change in uniform was intended to overcome the "inequality" between the admirals of the fleet and marshals of the armed forces of equal rank. After the ranks of marshals of military branches in the Russian Federation were abolished in 1993, the reason for the special insignia of fleet admirals also disappeared. By decree of the President of the Russian Federation of January 27, 1997, the admirals of the fleet were returned introduced in 1943/44. shoulder straps with four stars in a row, and Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of April 15, 1981 N 4735-X "On marshal insignia" Marshal Star"..." was declared invalid in the Russian Federation.
1 Prior to being awarded the title of "Admiral of the Fleet", the title of "Admiral" was held by: L. M. Galler, N. G. Kuznetsov, I. S. Isakov (all - 4.6.1940), V. F. Tributs and I. S. Yumashev (31.5.1943).
commander in chief Navy, admiral
Biography
Born on February 1, 1955 in the village of Pustynka, Kashinsky district, Kalinin, now Tver region. In the Navy since August 1972.
In June 1977 he graduated from the Higher naval school named after M.V. Frunze and was appointed commander of the electric navigation group of the navigation warhead of the K-467 multi-purpose nuclear submarine of project 671RT. From September 1979 - commander of the navigational combat unit, from December 1982 - assistant commander of the ship.
From November 1984 - senior assistant commander of the 246th crew of the 6th submarine division of the Northern Fleet. In August 1987, after graduating from the Higher Special Officer Classes of the Navy, he was appointed commander of the K-387 multi-purpose nuclear submarine of the 24th submarine division of the Northern Fleet. During combat service in August 1991, he successfully completed the assigned tasks in the Mediterranean Sea in the face of active opposition to the anti-submarine aviation of the NATO Navy detachment.
From November 1992 - Deputy Commander of the 24th Submarine Division of the Northern Fleet. In 1995 he graduated from the Naval Academy named after N.G. Kuznetsova. From April 1996 - head of the department, and then the anti-submarine warfare service of the operational directorate of the headquarters of the Northern Fleet.
In the period 2000-2002 he commanded a division of nuclear submarines of the Northern Fleet. Rear Admiral (06/10/2001). Since 2002 - the first commander of the Hajiyev naval base. Subsequently - chief of staff, and since August 2005 - commander of the 12th squadron of nuclear submarines of the Northern Fleet.
Since November 2007 - Deputy Commander of the Northern Fleet.
In the autumn of 2008, he led the campaign of a detachment of warships of the Northern Fleet, which completed a number of the most important military and political tasks in the Mediterranean region and the Caribbean. From the cruiser "Peter the Great" he led the international exercises "VENRUS-2008" in the Caribbean Sea. Under its flag, for the first time in history, the large anti-submarine ship of the Northern Fleet "Admiral Chabanenko" crossed the Panama Canal from Atlantic Ocean to Tichiy and back, and also for the first time in the post-Soviet period of history made a business call to the port of Havana in Cuba, made calls to Venezuela and Panama.
Since August 2009 - Chief of Staff - First Deputy Commander of the Northern Fleet.
Since July 2010 - Commander Black Sea Fleet. He was the initiator of the restoration of the Church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir in the city of Sevastopol and the creation of a museum complex of the legendary 35th coastal battery on Cape Chersonese.
Since June 2011 - Commander of the Northern Fleet. In the fall of 2012, surface ships of the Northern Fleet under its flag began to explore the Arctic and for the first time in Russian history made an amphibious landing on the New Siberian Islands.
In December 2014, he headed the joint strategic command of the Northern Fleet, reinforced by the Kola air defense formation, separate motorized rifle and arctic brigades and aviation. The zone of responsibility of the command on the territory of the Russian Federation along the coast of the Arctic Ocean has expanded to the administrative border with the Chukotka autonomous region. Under his direct command in 2015, there was an active creation of the military infrastructure of the Northern Fleet in the Arctic.
In April 2016, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy.
Member of 18 long-distance cruises on nuclear submarines and surface ships.
Member of the presidium State Commission on the development of the Arctic. Honorary polar explorer (2015).
The history of Russian has more than three centuries. During this time, hundreds of prominent commanders were awarded the rank of admiral. Some of them played a significant role in the fate of not only the fleet, but the entire country.
Apraksin Fedor Matveevich
According to legend, the family of the famous admiral came from the aristocratic class of the Golden Horde. The Tatar-Mongolian ancestor of the boyar dynasty received Christian baptism and married a Russian princess during the reign of Dmitry Donskoy. His distant descendant Fyodor Apraksin entered the service at the royal court at a young age. Acting as a steward, he managed to gain the trust and favor of the young Peter.
The first serious state post of Apraksin was the position of governor in Arkhangelsk. He happened to accompany the king on voyages along the White Sea. Shortly thereafter, Apraksin received the rank of major from the sovereign and an appointment to the Semyonovsky regiment. In subsequent years, he was the constant companion of the emperor-reformer in all military campaigns and diplomatic missions. Apraksin took part in the second siege of Azov. As part of the Great Embassy, he visited Holland, where he got acquainted with the basics of maritime affairs. Apraksin supervised the construction of ships in Voronezh, which were to become the basis Russian fleet. He made a huge contribution to the implementation of Peter the Great's plans to turn the country into a new maritime power. Apraksin was destined to become one of the first in the list of Russian admirals.
Commanding the army and navy in Ingermanland during the Northern War, he proved himself a prudent strategist. Apraksin managed to repel the Swedes' attack on Petersburg and forced the capitulation of the Vyborg fortress. One of the first admirals of the Russian fleet participated in the famous defeat of the squadron of King Charles at Cape Gangut.
Shortly thereafter, Apraksin fell into royal disfavor over accusations of corruption. Only former merits saved him from severe punishment. Subsequently, Tsar Peter forgave Apraksin and appointed him governor-general of the provinces conquered from the Swedes. One of the first admirals of the Russian fleet survived his emperor for several years and died in 1728.
This naval commander is famous for not losing a single ship in battle. Another unusual fact thing is Orthodox Church Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov canonized as a saint. One of the most prominent admirals of the Russian fleet began his career in the Baltic Sea. During the first war with the Turks, he participated in the defense of the Crimean coast. Later, Ushakov commanded the personal yacht of Catherine II and defended Russian ships in the Mediterranean. merchant ships from attacks by the British fleet. He fully showed his brilliant abilities during the war with the Ottoman Empire in 1787-1791. Ushakov defeated the superior enemy forces near the island of Fidonisi, in the Kerch Strait and at Capes Tendra and Kaliakria. In 1799 he became one of the admirals of the Russian fleet.
Ushakov retired without losing a single one of his 43 naval battles. Last years The naval commander devoted his life to prayers and church services.
Kruzenshtern Ivan Fyodorovich
The famous Russian admiral had German-Swedish roots. At birth, he was given the name Adam Johann Ritter von Krusenstern. This navigator led the first Russian round-the-world expedition. Kruzenshtern entered the service in the Imperial Navy with the rank of midshipman after training in the cadet corps in Kronstadt. For valor shown in battles Russian-Swedish war he received the rank of lieutenant.
In 1799, Kruzenshtern presented to the tsarist government a project to establish direct sea communication with the Russian colonies in America. The proposal was supported by the Academy of Sciences and approved by Alexander the First. An additional benefit of the project was to provide a more convenient route for trade with China. The expedition lasted two years. Kruzenshtern and his assistants compiled an atlas and a travel report, in which they described in detail all the lands and peoples they saw. This treatise has been translated into many European languages.
Kruzenshtern devoted the following years of his life mainly to teaching. He was awarded an honorary membership in the Academy of Sciences and was appointed director of the navigation school. Kruzenshtern made many improvements to the operation of this educational institution. He died in 1846 on his estate in Estonia.
Nakhimov Pavel Stepanovich
He went down in history as the commander of the fleet and ground forces during the Crimean War and the siege of Sevastopol. Nakhimov studied at the St. Petersburg Naval Noble Corps and got his first experience of sailing on a ship at the age of fifteen. After participating in an expedition around the world, he was elevated to the rank of lieutenant.
Nakhimov distinguished himself in a major naval battle of the combined squadron of Russia, France and England against the fleet Ottoman Empire. In history, this event is known as As a reward for the skillful use of artillery, Nakhimov was appointed captain of a captured ship.
During the Crimean War, he carried out a brilliant operation to block and destroy the Turkish fleet in the harbor of the city of Sinop. Nakhimov received the rank of admiral and was appointed military governor of Sevastopol. He commanded the defense of the city and supported the morale of the soldiers and officers. In 1855, while at the forefront, Nakhimov received a fatal bullet wound. The admiral was buried in the crypt of St. Vladimir's Cathedral in Sevastopol.
The commander of the Russian fleet in the Baltic Sea came from a family of Baltic Germans. His ancestors served the empire since the time of Peter the Great. After graduation cadet corps and the Naval Academy, Nikolai Essen received the rank of lieutenant and, in the process of developing his further career, commanded several ships, including the battleship Sevastopol. The name of the admiral went down in history in connection with the Russo-Japanese War. After the capitulation of the fortress of Port Arthur, he flooded the Sevastopol so that the enemy would not get the ship. Essen was taken to Nagasaki as a prisoner of war, but released two months later. After returning to St. Petersburg, he received the Order of St. George as a reward for his brave actions.
During the First World War, Essen commanded the Baltic Fleet. Many considered him the most capable Russian admiral of the day. Nikolai Essen died unexpectedly in 1915 as a result of an illness. A frigate of the Russian Navy is named after him.
Kolchak Alexander Vasilievich
The last admiral of the empire became the recognized leader white movement. Alexander Kolchak had great authority among the opponents of the Bolsheviks. During the period civil war he headed the Provisional Siberian Government based in Omsk. Kolchak's attempts to unite all anti-Bolshevik forces were unsuccessful. After the White movement was on the verge of defeat, the Czech allies betrayed the admiral of the Red Army. Kolchak was executed without trial. The place of his burial is unknown.
In the Russian Empire, 189 people were awarded the rank of admiral. The first of them was an associate of Peter the Great, the last - Alexander Kolchak. In the USSR, this title began to be awarded in 1940. A total of 79 Soviet naval commanders received it. By decision of Joseph Stalin, a higher rank was established, corresponding to the land marshal - admiral of the fleet. Shortly after the collapse of the USSR, it was canceled.
Russian Federation
Many Soviet admirals remained in the service of the Russian Navy. The assignment of the highest naval rank continued into the new era. The list of admirals of the Russian Federation has 35 people. Since 1992, six holders of this title have served as Commander-in-Chief of the Navy:
- Gromov Felix Nikolaevich.
- Kuroyedov Vladimir I.
- Masorin Vladimir Vasilievich
- Vysotsky Vladimir Sergeevich.
- Korolyov Vladimir I.
The predecessor of the current commander-in-chief, Viktor Viktorovich Chirkov, was forced to resign due to health problems. The Minister of Defense presented Admiral Korolev with the standard of the Navy in April 2016.
Russia is a great maritime power. However, historically, access to the seas was thorny, the conquest of space went through difficult paths of expeditions and wars. Courageous and resourceful sailors, simple sailors and talented naval commanders forged the glory of the Russian fleet. Valiant defenders are inscribed in the military annals of our country. They demonstrated the indestructible strength of the Russian fleet in battles near Gangut and Grengam, near Chesma and Kerch, near Navarin and Sinoy, near Sevastopol and in Tsushima. About ten legendary Russian admirals who selflessly served the Fatherland, our article.
Fedor Apraksin
One of the creators of the Russian navy, an associate of Peter I, Admiral General, the first president of the Admiralty Board. The career of Fyodor Matveyevich Apraksin began in 1682, when he became the steward of Peter, participated in the creation of the "amusing army" and the flotilla of Pereslavsky Lake. In 1693–96 he was appointed Dvina voivode and governor of Arkhangelsk, under his watchful eye the 24-gun frigate "Saint Apostle Paul" laid down by Peter I himself is being built, the city is being overgrown with new fortifications, the Solombala shipyard is expanding. It was Apraksin who laid the foundations of commercial and military shipbuilding, and for the first time equipped Russian ships with goods abroad. In 1697, Apraksin controlled shipbuilding in Voronezh, where a fleet was urgently created for the Sea of Azov. Since 1700, F.M. Apraksin is the chief head of the Admiralty Order and the Governor of Azov, the chief manager of all matters related to the arrangement and supply of admiralties and ships that entered the Azov and Baltic Seas. He was in charge of supply affairs, was responsible for the construction of a shipyard at the mouth of Voronezh, the opening of a cannon factory in Lipitsy, access to the open sea for ships, the construction of a harbor and fortifications in Taganrog, deepening of the shallow mouths of the Don, research work in the sea.
In 1707, Fyodor Matveyevich was granted the rank of admiral and president of the admiralties, received personal command of the fleet on the Baltic Sea, and also often commanded and ground forces. In 1708, he led the corps operating in Ingermanland, which repelled the Swedish attack on Kronshlot, Kotlin and Petersburg: on September 28, Shtromberg’s corps was defeated at Rakobor, and on October 16, Liebeker’s corps in Kapor Bay (these two corps, according to the Swedes’ action plan, came from two parties and should eventually unite). For the victory, Fyodor Matveyevich received the status of a real privy councilor and the title of count. For the merits of Apraksin to the Fatherland and shown by him military art Tsar Peter awarded him with a special nominal silver medal, on one side of which Apraksin himself was depicted and the inscription was engraved: “Imperial Majesty Admiral F.M. Apraksin", and on the other - four military sailing ships against the backdrop of the battle; above - two hands, outstretched from the clouds, hold a laurel wreath - a symbol of victory. Along the circumference is the inscription: “Storing this does not sleep; death is better than infidelity."
Alexander Menshikov
The right hand of Peter the Great, Aleksashka, whose charismatic personality manifested itself in many fields, including in maritime affairs. Almost all the instructions and directives that the sovereign sent to the troops passed through the hands of Alexander Danilovich. Often, Peter gave some thought, and Menshikov found the best embodiment for it. He had many ranks and regalia, including in 1726 he became a full admiral. On the day of the signing of the Treaty of Nystadt, which ended the long-term war with the Swedes, Menshikov received the rank of vice admiral. After that, he focused on the internal structure of the Russian fleet, and from 1718 he was responsible for the arrangement of all the armed forces of Russia. His great-grandson Alexander Sergeevich Menshikov was also an outstanding admiral who commanded the fleet in Crimean War.
Ivan Kruzenshtern
Russian navigator, admiral. He distinguished himself not only in the battles for the North Sea, but also became famous as an explorer of new lands. Ivan Kruzenshtern, together with Yuri Lisyansky, made the first Russian round-the-world expedition. He opened new trade routes for Russia to the East Indies and China. He managed to prove that the sea direction is more profitable. During the round-the-world expedition, such islands were explored Pacific Ocean like the Kuriles, Kamchatka and Sakhalin. In 1827, Kruzenshtern was appointed director of the Naval Cadet Corps and a member of the Admiralty Council. 16 years of activity as director was marked by the introduction of new teaching subjects into the courses of the Marine Corps, the enrichment of the library and museums with its many teaching aids, the establishment of an officer class and other improvements.
Pavel Nakhimov
The famous Russian admiral, perhaps, was able to show his talent for the first time during the Crimean War, when the Black Sea squadron under his command in stormy weather discovered and blocked the main forces of the Turkish fleet in Sinop. As a result, the Turkish fleet was destroyed in a matter of hours. For this victory, Nakhimov received the Highest Diploma of His Imperial Majesty Nicholas with the words: "The extermination of the Turkish squadron, you decorated the annals of the Russian fleet with a new victory." Nakhimov also led the defense of Sevastopol from 1855. Having made a difficult decision to sink the Russian fleet, he blocked the enemy ships from entering the bay. The soldiers and sailors who defended the southern part of Sevastopol under his leadership called the admiral "father-benefactor."
Fedor Ushakov
Admiral Ushakov commanded the Black Sea Fleet, participated in the Russian-Turkish war, during which he made a huge contribution to the development of tactical warfare sailing fleet. He received his first award in 1783 for a successful victory over the plague that raged in Kherson. Ushakov's actions were distinguished by extraordinary courage and determination. He boldly advanced his ship to the first positions, choosing one of the most dangerous positions and thereby showing an excellent example of courage to his commanders. sober assessment situation, accurate strategic calculation, taking into account all success factors and a swift attack - this is what allowed the admiral to emerge victorious in many battles. Ushakov can also rightfully be called the founder of the Russian school of tactical combat in naval art. Per feats of arms he was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church as a saint.
Vladimir Schmidt
The ancestors of Admiral Schmidt were discharged in the 17th century by Peter the Great as shipwrights from Frankfurt am Main. Schmidt participated in the Crimean War, defended Sevastopol and led naval operations in the Russo-Turkish War. For his valor in battle, he was awarded the golden broadsword "For Courage" and the Order of St. George IV degree. In 1855 alone, he was wounded four times: in the right side of the head and chest, with a fragment of a bomb in the left side of the forehead, in forefinger left arm and left leg. By 1898 he became a full admiral and holder of all the orders that existed at that time in Russia. Cape Schmidt on Russky Island is named after him.
Alexander Kolchak
In addition to the fact that Admiral Kolchak was the leader of the White movement and the Supreme Ruler of Russia, he was also an outstanding oceanographer, one of the largest polar explorers, a participant in three polar expeditions, and also the author of the monograph “What kind of fleet does Russia need”. Admiral developed theoretical basis preparation and conduct of joint army operations on land and at sea. In 1908 he lectured at the Naval Academy. Participated in the Russo-Japanese War, including its longest battle - the defense of Port Arthur. To the first world war commanded a division of destroyers of the Baltic Fleet, and from the 16-17s - the Black Sea Fleet.
Vladimir Istomin
Rear Admiral of the Russian Navy, Hero of the Sevastopol Defense. At the end of the Naval Corps in 1827, as a simple midshipman on the battleship Azov, he set off on a long voyage from Kronstadt to Portsmouth, to the coast of Greece. There he distinguished himself in the Battle of Navarino and received the Insignia of the Military Order of St. George and the rank of midshipman. In 1827-1832, V. Istomin plied the Mediterranean Sea, improving his maritime education in a serious military situation, created by prolonged cruising in the Archipelago and participation in the blockade of the Dardanelles and the landings on the Bosphorus. In 1830 there was awarded the order Saint Anna 3rd degree. Subsequently, he served in the Baltic Fleet, then - on the Black Sea. In 1837, he was promoted to lieutenant and appointed commander of the ship "Northern Star", on which in the same year Emperor Nicholas I and the Empress sailed through the ports of the Black Sea. Istomin was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir of the 4th degree and a diamond ring. In 1843 he received the Order of St. Stanislaus, 2nd class. Until 1850, he was at the disposal of the governor in the Caucasus, Prince Vorontsov, taking an active part in joint operations of the army and navy aimed at conquering the Caucasus. In 1846 he was awarded the Order of St. Anne, 2nd degree, and the following year, for actions against the highlanders, he was promoted to captain of the 2nd rank. In 1849 he became a captain of the 1st rank. In 1850 he commanded the battleship Paris. In 1852 he was presented to the Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd degree. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Sinop on November 18, 1853, for which he received the rank of Rear Admiral. In a report to the emperor, Admiral P.S. Nakhimov especially noted the actions battleship"Paris" in the battle of Sinop: "It was impossible to stop admiring the beautiful and cold-bloodedly calculated actions of the Paris ship." In 1854, when the siege of Sevastopol began, Istomin was appointed commander of the 4th defensive distance of Malakhov Kurgan, and then became chief of staff under Vice Admiral V. Kornilov. November 20, 1854 Istomin was awarded the Order of St. George, 3rd degree. Istomin was one of the most active and bravest participants in organizing this amazing defense. After the death of Kornilov, he literally did not leave his positions for a single day; he lived on the Kamchatka redoubt, in a dugout. On March 7, 1855, the 45-year-old V.I. Istomin had his head blown off by a cannon ball when he was leaving his dugout. Istomin was buried in the Sevastopol Cathedral of St. Vladimir, in the same crypt with Admirals M.P. Lazarev, V.A. Kornilov, P.S. Nakhimov. IN AND. Istomin had four brothers, and they all served in the Navy; Konstantin and Pavel rose to the ranks of admirals.
Vladimir Istomin
The famous Russian naval commander was a graduate of the Naval Cadet Corps. In 1823 he entered the naval service, was the first captain of the Twelve Apostles. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Navarino in 1827, being a midshipman on the flagship Azov. Since 1849 - Chief of Staff of the Black Sea Fleet. Kornilov is actually the founder of the Russian steam fleet. In 1853, he participated in the first historical battle of steam ships: the 10-gun steam frigate "Vladimir" under his flag of the chief of staff of the Black Sea Fleet entered the battle with the 10-gun Turkish-Egyptian steamer "Pervaz-Bakhri". After a 3-hour battle, Pervaz-Bakhri was forced to lower the flag. During the outbreak of the war with England and France, he actually commanded the Black Sea Fleet, until his heroic death he was the immediate superior of P.S. Nakhimov and V.I. Istomin. After the landing of the Anglo-French troops in Evpatoria and the defeat of the Russian troops on the Alma, Kornilov received an order from the commander-in-chief in the Crimea, Prince Menshikov, to flood the ships of the fleet in the roadstead in order to use sailors to defend Sevastopol from land. Kornilov gathered flagships and captains for a council, where he told them that, since the position of Sevastopol was practically hopeless due to the advance of the enemy army, the fleet should attack the enemy at sea, despite the huge numerical and technical superiority of the enemy. Taking advantage of the disorder in the location of the British and French ships at Cape Ulukola, the Russian fleet was to attack first, imposing a boarding battle on the enemy, blowing up, if necessary, their own ships along with the enemy's ships. This would make it possible to inflict such losses on the enemy fleet that its further operations would be thwarted. Having given the order to prepare to go to sea, Kornilov went to Prince Menshikov and announced to him his decision to give battle. In response, the prince repeated the given order - to flood the ships. Kornilov refused to obey the order. Then Menshikov ordered to send Kornilov to Nikolaev, and to transfer command to Vice Admiral M.N. Stanyukovich. However, the annoyed Kornilov managed to give a worthy answer: “Stop! This is suicide... what you are forcing me to do... but it is impossible for me to leave Sevastopol surrounded by the enemy! I am ready to obey you." V.A. Kornilov organized the defense of Sevastopol, where his talent as a military leader was especially pronounced. Commanding a garrison of 7,000, he set an example of the skillful organization of active defense. Kornilov is rightfully considered the founder of positional methods of warfare (continuous attacks by the defenders, night searches, mine warfare, close fire interaction between ships and fortress artillery). V.A. Kornilov died on Malakhov Kurgan on October 5 (17), 1854, during the first bombardment of the city by the Anglo-French troops. He was buried in the Sevastopol Cathedral of St. Vladimir, in the same crypt with Admirals M.P. Lazarev, P.S. Nakhimov and V.I. Istomin.
Vsevolod Rudnev
Hero of the Russo-Japanese War, rear admiral of the Russian Imperial Fleet, commander of the legendary cruiser Varyag. At the beginning of his maritime career, he participated in a round-the-world voyage. He was one of the first to bring from France a steam warship specially built for Russia. Since 1889 V.F. Rudnev was on a foreign voyage on the cruiser Admiral Kornilov, again under the command of Captain 1st Rank E.I. Alekseev. On the "Admiral Kornilov" Rudnev participated in the maneuvers of the Pacific Fleet, became a senior officer of the ship. In 1890 he returned to Kronstadt. Since 1891, he has been in command of ships and is moving up the ranks. In 1900, dredging was carried out in Port Arthur on the inner roadstead, the dry dock was rebuilt and expanded, the port was electrified, and coastal defenses were strengthened. Rudnev becomes a senior assistant to the port commander in Port Arthur. At that time, Port Arthur was the base of the 1st Pacific Squadron, the basis of the strength of the Russian fleet on Far East. Rudnev was not happy with his appointment, but, nevertheless, he set to work with enthusiasm. In December 1901, he received the rank of captain of the 1st rank. In December 1902, an order was issued by the Naval Ministry, by which Vsevolod Fedorovich Rudnev was appointed commander of the Varyag cruiser. He came to the Varyag as an experienced naval officer who had served on seventeen ships and commanded nine, being a member of three around the world travel, one of which he did as the commander of the ship.
The situation in the Russian Far East was deteriorating. Japan accelerated efforts to prepare for war. The Japanese managed to achieve considerable superiority in forces over the Far Eastern grouping of troops of the Russian Empire. On the eve of the war, "Varyag" by order of the tsar's governor in the Far East, Adjutant General Admiral E.I. Alekseev was sent to the neutral Korean port of Chemulpo, in which the Varyag was supposed to guard the Russian mission and carry out the duties of a senior stationer on the road. On January 26 (February 7), 1904, the Japanese squadron stopped on the outer road of the bay. There were Russians in the inner roadstead - the cruiser "Varyag" and the gunboat "Koreets", as well as foreign warships. On the morning of January 27 (February 9), 1904, Rudnev received an ultimatum from Rear Admiral Sotokichi Uriu, announcing that Japan and Russia were at war. The Japanese demanded that the Russians leave the raid before noon, threatening otherwise to open fire on them. Such actions in a neutral port would be a violation of international law.
V.F. Rudnev decided to break out of the bay. Before the line of officers and sailors of the cruiser, he informed them about the ultimatum of the Japanese and about his decision. The Japanese squadron blocked the way to the open sea. The enemy squadron opened fire. The "Varangians" responded by giving a worthy rebuff to the enemy, fighting holes and fires under heavy enemy fire. According to reports from various sources, Japanese cruisers Asama, Chiyoda, Takachiho were damaged by fire from the Varyag and one destroyer was sunk. "Varyag" returned to the port, having a strong list on one side. The machines were out of order, about 40 guns were broken. It was decided: to remove the teams from the ships, to flood the cruiser, to blow up the gunboat so that they would not get to the enemy. The decision was promptly implemented. Wounded in the head and shell-shocked, Rudnev was the last to leave the ship. Captain 1st rank V.F. Rudnev was awarded the Order of St. George of the 4th degree, received the rank of adjutant wing and became commander of the squadron battleship "Andrew the First-Called". In November 1905, Rudnev refused to take disciplinary action against the revolutionary-minded sailors of his crew. The consequence of this was his dismissal and promotion to rear admiral. In 1907, the Japanese emperor Mutsuhito, in recognition of the heroism of Russian sailors, sent V.F. Rudnev Order of the Rising Sun II degree. Rudnev, although he accepted the order, never put it on.