Free Republic

Russia's navy has been forced to cancel its annual flagship event in St Petersburg, in a humiliating blow for Vladimir Putin. Navy Day is a major national holiday and is held on the last Sunday of July, celebrated by the public and military alike. The event is used by the Kremlin to show off its latests ships and technology, as it attempts to project its naval power to the watching world. As the maritime capital of Russia, St Petersburg holds a Main Naval Parade along the River Neva, which is normally attended by the Russian president. Usually ships from the...

The Russian navy plays a crucial role in Moscow's conflict, but it has suffered significant losses since the war began in February 2022, with approximately half of the Black Sea Fleet damaged or destroyed by Ukrainian maritime drones and long-range anti-ship missiles. Russian President Vladimir Putin's prized Black Sea Fleet was nowhere to be seen to thwart heavy bombing by Ukrainian drones Wednesday night amid Moscow's largest naval games this year, which comes as a warning to the West. Putin ordered the 'July Storm' drills, which involve more than 150 combat ships, 120 aircraft, and 15,000-plus military personnel. Footage shows...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the surprise drone operation over the weekend against Russia was a success that will "continue" if Moscow doesn't halt its offensive. Zelenskyy addressed reporters following the next round of U.S.-brokered peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul on Monday, intended to end Russia's 3-year-old invasion of its neighbor. The talks came just one day after Ukraine launched an audacious drone attack on Russia's strategic bomber fleet. Asked by ABC News' Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz on whether the attacks changed the dynamics of the war or at the negotiating table -- and...