On 19 March this year, the Russian submarine force celebrates its 90th birthday - Happy Birthday from SHARKHUNTERS!

The first Russian submarines were built around the end of the 19th Century. In World War I, the Russian submarines were called ‘Mine-Carriers’ and the first submarine built in Russia received the name DOLPHIN.

On March 11, 1906 the Naval Decree of the Russian Tsar Nicholas II was published. That decree read that beginning from March 19, 1906 submarines became a separate fleet of the Russian Navy. This date became the birthday of the Russian Submarine Fleet and now is celebrated as the Submarine Fleet Day.

When WW II started, Russia had 212 submarines. During World War II, twenty submarine officers received the title of HERO OF THE SOVIET UNION. 90 Russian submarines perished during World War II.

During the 90 years of its existence, submarines became one of the basic subdivisions of the Russian Navy.

Thanks to ANNA ABRAMOVA (4392-1995) for this information.