TIMELINE OF THE
Since its founding in 1783, Russia’s prized, powerful and instrumental naval force has remained an ominous presence in Eastern Europe
13 May 1783
THE FLEET IS LAUNCHED 01
The Black Sea Fleet is created by Prince Grigory Potemkin to counter the mounting threat from Prussia, Britain and Sweden. The fleet grows quickly to 27 ships, on par with the Spanish navy. A new naval base under the name Akhtiar is created to host it, becoming the city Sevastopol.
19 July 1790
BATTLE OF KERCH STRAIT
The fleet is first used to devastating effect at the Battle of Kerch Strait, destroying the Turkish fleet and preventing an invasion of Crimea. Despite being outnumbered by nearly 300 guns, the fleet outmanoeuvres the Ottoman line, forcing it into a costly retreat.
November 1798 – March 1799
SIEGE OF CORFU 02
The Black Sea Fleet provides naval superiority when it supports the Ottoman siege of Corfu, giving the attackers almost eight-times as many ships as the French defenders. This domination gives the fleet free rein to bombard Corfu’s forts, forcing the French to surrender by March 1799.
30 November 1853
BATTLE OF SINOP 03
In the opening phases of the Crimean War, the Black Sea Fleet uses recently adopted explosive artillery shells to gain a decisive advantage. The Ottoman fleet cannot match Russia’s firepower, and the Black Sea fleet loses no ships. However, the remainder of the Crimean War is a disaster for the fleet, which fails to prevent the capture of Sevastopol.
August 1941 – July 1942
DEFENDING CRIMEA
In the early stages of Operation Barbarossa, the fleet fights alongside the Red Army at the Siege of Odesa and the Battle of Sevastopol. At the Siege of Odesa, the fleet is responsible for evacuating 350,000 soldiers and civilians as the city falls into Axis hands.
June 1915 – November 1917
GREAT WAR BLACK SEA DOMINATION
Dreadnoughts Imperatritsa Mariya and Imperatritsa Ekaterina Velikaya secure the fleet’s control of the Black Sea. This lasts until the collapse of the Russian Provisional Government in November 1917 and the end of Russia’s involvement in the First World War with the Treat
