For the first time in recent history, the large landing ship "Azov" of the Black Sea Fleet was awarded the aft St. George naval flag in memory of the victory won by the battleship "Azov" in the Battle of Navarino in 1827. The ceremony took place at the pier of the Sevastopol sea station. Before that, the flag was consecrated in the Vladimir Cathedral - the tomb of the admirals.
"On October 20, 1827, the battleship Azov played a decisive role in the defeat of the Turkish-Egyptian fleet in the Battle of Navarino," said Viktor Astapov, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy. Thanks to this feat, the ship "Azov" was awarded the St. George flag and pennant for the first time in the history of the Russian navy. We honor and continue the traditions of the heroic past.
Future admirals, heroes of Sinop and Sevastopol defense Vladimir Kornilov, Pavel Nakhimov, Vladimir Istomin served on the ship "Azov", commanded by Captain of the first rank Mikhail Lazarev, and later - commander of the Black Sea Fleet and military governor of Sevastopol.
The commander of the Black Sea Fleet Igor Osipov handed the flag to the commander of the ship, captain of the second rank Serey Lutsenko.
- The crew of the BDK "Azov" accepts this flag with great pride, it will demonstrate the strength and power of the Russian Navy in the open spaces of the sea, - Lutsenko said.
The flag was raised at the stern of the ship simultaneously with the shot from the historical cannon, which was performed by the members of the Club of Lovers of the History of the Fatherland in the uniform of the 32nd naval crew of the 18-gun brig Mercury.
BDK "Azov" received the St. George flag by decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated 07/23/2021 No. 428 "On the Naval Flag of the Russian Federation". According to the document, the St. George Naval flag is awarded in memory of the outstanding exploits of the Russian navy to a ship that has been given the name "Azov" ("Memory of Azov") or "Mercury" ("Memory of Mercury").
As told at the Black Sea Fleet, the Russian fleet in different years included ten ships called "Azov" or "Memory of Azov". There was a tradition to present the St. George flag to such ships, but in the Soviet years it was lost.
Yulia Krymova (Sevastopol)