The blue cross on the white banner can be seen from afar, as the St. Andrew's flags are always raised at the top. In Dagestan and Chechnya, the most challenging areas of this war are marked by the presence of the Russian Navy's flag. Here, our marines are respectfully referred to as "mountain sailors." This is due to their ability to fight the enemy in any environment, their fearlessness, unwavering will, and unbreakable naval brotherhood.

The marines received state awards for heroism, courage, and bravery at their mountain combat positions. They received them from the hands of General Pavel Shilov, the commander of the Russian Navy's land and coastal forces. At the time, the chief mariner could not answer when his men would return from the mountains. He told the soldiers in the line that he had often gone on long ocean voyages with his friend Alexander Otrakovsky, who later lost his life fighting in the Chechen mountains. They would go out to sea for a month and return almost a year later.

Yes, there was a time when our marines were known not as mountain troops, but as ocean-going troops. However, at that time, the entire Soviet Navy was ocean-going, and its flag was present in all the latitudes of the world's oceans. But it has always been the case that during difficult times for the country, sailors return to their homeland and fight the enemy on land. This was the case during the reign of Peter the Great, during the years of the Russian Revolution, during the Great Patriotic War, and during the first Chechen campaign. At the same time, our naval flag was proudly flying at the taken heights: the marines were fighting to forge their motto, "Wherever we are, there is victory!"

Of course, not all of Russia's Navy is fighting on land today. Submarines are on combat duty, surface ships are at sea, and naval aviation is carrying out its missions. However, our fleet has become much smaller, and its tasks have been narrowed.

But throughout the years of the collapse of the state and, consequently, of the Russian Navy, the sailors believed that another Tsushima would pass and that a revival would come. Today, this belief is reinforced by the words of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said during his visit to the Northern Fleet:

-. Russia has always needed a powerful Navy. There was a period when it seemed that there was no need for it. The army was also not in demand. This is a deep misconception. In the foreseeable future, it is unlikely that anyone will think or act in this way. The country's leadership will do everything to ensure that what has been built over decades is not only preserved but also expanded.

This was stated by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief after laying a wreath at the grave of the Chief of the Northern Fleet's Coastal Forces, Hero of Russia Major General Alexander Otrakovsky, and presenting military awards to the Northern Fleet's soldiers who displayed courage and heroism in the elimination of illegal armed groups in the North Caucasus region. He then witnessed firsthand the appearance of Russia's naval strategic nuclear forces and the necessary measures to ensure their combat readiness. After expressing his appreciation for the Navy's combat readiness, he addressed the sailors:

- I know that only people who are in character with the element they have dedicated their lives to can carry this burden on their shoulders. I want you to always remember that Russia cannot do without the work you are doing... Thank you for not losing heart during these difficult times for the country. I am confident that as long as people like you are in the ranks, our country will remain invincible.

These words give hope for the revival of Russia, a great maritime power whose proud St. Andrew's flag, having triumphantly left the mountains, will once again fly over the world's oceans.

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