Skip to content

← Home

Black Sea Fleet

The Black Sea Fleet is a naval fleet operating in the Black Sea. The birth of the fleet in the late 18th century is closely linked to the city of Kherson, while during the Ukrainian Revolution (1917–1918), the fleet became the arena of a sharp struggle for Ukrainization led by the Sevastopol Ukrainian Council and Bolshevik-driven anarchization.

Overview

The city of Kherson, founded on June 18, 1778, is rightfully called the cradle of the Black Sea Fleet. The mighty ramparts of the Kherson Fortress, reinforced by bastions, ravelins, and artillery of 220 cannons, reached the very bank of the Dnieper River and reliably protected the citadel — the Kherson Admiralty.

In 1917, against the backdrop of revolutionary events, a powerful Ukrainian national movement flared up among ship crews. The Sevastopol Ukrainian Council and the Black Sea Ukrainian Military Committee demanded the Ukrainization of the Black Sea Fleet and its subordination to the Ukrainian Central Rada. Despite this, far-left elements and "Centroflot" seized control of a portion of the crews, launching the suppression of Ukrainian institutions and the Red Terror in Sevastopol. In late April 1918, following the entry of Ukrainian and German troops, Ukrainian flags were raised over the vessels of the Black Sea Fleet.

Key Details / Subtopics

  • Firstborn of the Fleet Slava Yekateriny: On September 16, 1783, a 66-gun battleship was launched — the first vessel of the Black Sea Fleet built in Kherson.
  • The Ship Svyatoy Pavel: On October 12, 1784, a 66-gun rank vessel was launched, commanded by Captain 1st Rank Fyodor Ushakov.
  • Campaign to Sevastopol: after being fully fitted out, both ships set course for the new Black Sea harbor — Sevastopol. The 50-gun frigates Kherson, Krym, Khorobryi, and others joined the fleet one after another.
  • Ukrainization and the Destroyer Zavidny (1917): Ukrainian councils were established on naval vessels (notably an influential cell on the destroyer Zavidny), demanding subordination to the Central Rada.
  • Black Sea Electoral District (1917–1918): To conduct elections for the Constituent Assembly of the UNR within the navy, a Black Sea District was created (comprising shipborne and shore-based crews).
  • Bolshevik Anarchization and Disbanding: In January–February 1918, "Centroflot" opposed the Central Rada, while Bolshevized sailors carried out a wave of bloody terror in the city. In late April 1918, the fleet raised Ukrainian flags.
  • Naval Testing Grounds and Residual Mine Danger: The USSR Black Sea Fleet long used the Black Sea waters (particularly near Cape Lukull) as naval testing grounds. Thoughtless lifting of restrictions in the 1990s led to depth charge explosions and loss of civilian vessels, including the fishing seiner Shkval in 1998.
  • Sinking of the Battleship Novorossiysk (1955): On October 29, 1955, as a result of a sabotage operation by Italian frogmen of the 10th Flotilla MAS, the flagship of the USSR Black Sea Fleet Novorossiysk (former Giulio Cesare) exploded and sank in Sevastopol Bay, killing 829 people.

Model of the ship "Slava Yekateriny" Model of the ship "Slava Yekateriny". Authors Yu. Smirnov, M. Lomakin. Scale 1:100. Length – 50 cm.

Contradictions and Open Questions

Section empty — no contradictory information in available sources.