The period from 1853 to 1917 was the most interesting period in the development of the Russian Navy. After the Crimean War of 1853-1855, steam Navy began to develop rapidly. By the end of the 1850s, the Russian fleet started to operate in the oceans.

During the second half of the 19th century, the Russian Empire created a modern for that time armored fleet. In the early 20th century, the country had the third largest fleet in the world. On these photos made in this period you can see the battleships of this once mighty fleet.

historical photos of the Russian Imperial Fleet

Tags: Russian Empire

The Tula State Weapons Museum, founded in 1775, is the oldest museum of weapons in Russia and one of the main attractions of Tula. In 2012, a new building in the form of a medieval Russian helmet was constructed for the museum (Oktyabr’skaya Street, 2).

Near the building there is an exhibition of Russian military equipment of the second half of the 20th century. Inside you can learn about the history of firearms and cold steel from the 14th century to the present. Photos by: babs71.

1. The building of the museum.

guns, guns, and more guns

Tags: museum · Tula city

Military Historical Museum of Artillery, Engineers and Signal Corps located in St. Petersburg is one of the largest military museums in Russia. In total, the collection includes over 850 thousand exhibits.

The exposition was started by Peter I, who founded Zeughaus – a place for storing historical, unique and experimental artillery pieces. Today, the exposition covers the time from the 15th century to the present day. Photos by: deletant.

explore the museum

Tags: museum · Saint Petersburg city

Shikotan, meaning “the best place”, is the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Islands, part of the Sakhalin region. Japan disputes Russia’s ownership of Shikotan; it sees it as part of Nemuro province, Hokkaido prefecture.

Until 1855, the island was part of the Russian Empire. February 7, 1855, according to the Russian-Japanese treaty of trade and boundaries (“Shimoda Treaty”), the island was given to Japan with the rest of the southern Kurils. In 1945, after Japan’s defeat in World War II, the islands were captured by the Soviet Union.

the island of tanks

Tags: Abandoned · Sakhalin oblast

Divers found the historical Russian mini-submarine “Som” (“Catfish”) that disappeared during the First World War near the coast of Sweden.

May 10, 1916, while carrying out patrols in the area of Aland Islands, the submarine collided with the Swedish steamer “Ingermanland” and sank. None of the crew of the submarine (18 people) survived.

One hundred years later…

Tags: Russian Empire

In Soviet times, a very significant part of the budget was spent on various military purposes, including the construction of numerous defensive structures all over the country.

And here is one example. This artillery battery is located somewhere on the coast of the Kola Peninsula, in the northwest of the European part of Russia, in Murmansk region. Photos by: Ralph Mirebs.

get inside the battery

Tags: Abandoned · Murmansk oblast

In Russia, there are many sayings and proverbs dedicated to idiocy that often occurs in the army. For example, “people, served in the army, don’t laugh in the circus” or “in the army, they carry round things and roll square ones”, etc.

And here’s one example. In winter, when the territory of the army garrisons is covered with deep snow, soldiers are often busy making these nice looking snowdrifts – square snowdrifts.

square paradise

Tags: No tags

On the vast expanses of Russia you can find a lot of abandoned facilities. Most of them were built in remote and sometimes very picturesque areas for military purposes during the Soviet period and after the collapse of the USSR were abandoned.

For example, look at this abandoned storage of nuclear warheads built in the 1960s in the depths of the granite mountain and located somewhere in the northern part of Russia. Photos by Lana Sator

explore the base

Tags: Abandoned

Today, Russia celebrates Victory Day in the Second World War. In honor of this memorable date, military parades have been held in many cities across the country.

The main parade has been held on Red Square in Moscow.

Tags: Moscow city

Breaking news. Upper House of Russian Parliament voted to approve sending Russian armed forces on the territory of Ukraine.

It was done by Putin’s request because of the “extraordinary” situation in Ukraine and threats to life of Russian citizens, the personnel of the military contingent of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation located in accordance with the international agreement on the territory of Ukraine (Autonomous Republic of Crimea).

War?

(more…)

Tags: No tags