On March 19, an envelope with a commemorative stamp dedicated to the Submarine Forces of the Russian Federation Navy was put into postal circulation

The date of origination of the Russian Navy submarine fleet is considered to be March 19 of 1906, when submarines in the Russian Navy were spinned off into a separate class of warships. Although in the 19th century Russia built several experimental submarines and even a series of 50 ultra-small submarines designed to defend naval fortresses, it was in the first decade of the 20th century that the design and construction of submarines originated in the country as one of the most important areas of military shipbuilding.

The first submarines in Russia were referred to as minelayers or semi-submersible vessels. The first Russian combat submarine to join the fleet was the Delfin (Minelayer No. 113), which was completed and tested in 1903. The current name, submarine, was accepted in 1906. Submarines as a new class of ships for the first time took part in combat operations in the Russo-Japanese war. A series of 13 submarines of the so-called "fish series" (named Dolphin, Skat, Burbot, etc.), was transferred by rail to the Far East in 1904 to participate in the war against Japan. During World War I, submarines were used to combat maritime communications. By the end of the warfare, an independent branch of the fleet had been formed, i.e., the submarine forces, capable of performing both tactical and operational tasks.

In 1930-1939, the USSR fleet was augmented by 20 large, 80 medium, 60 small submarines and 20 underwater minelayers. By the start of the Great Patriotic War, there were 218 submarines in the four fleets, 211 of which were Soviet-built. During the war, their crews sank about 100 warships and destroyed over 200 transports. More than 6,000 underwater divers were awarded orders and medals, and 21 submariners were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

In the post-war years, an intensive development of submarine-building enterprises began. At the same time, work was launched to create new submarine bases in all fleets, primarily in the Northern and Pacific Navies. In 1958, the first Soviet nuclear submarine K-3 (Leninsky Komsomol) joined the fleet, and 10 years later, the Navy had more than 50 nuclear submarines. The introduction of nuclear power plants on submarines imparted them unlimited navigation autonomy. In 1967, the first strategic missile submarines joined the Navy.

The backbone of the Russian Navy's modern submarine forces comprises nuclear-powered strategic and multipurpose submarines armed with sea-based ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. The submarine forces also incorporate diesel-electric (non-nuclear) submarines. Organizationally, submarines make part of all fleets. The Northern and Pacific Fleets have the most powerful submarine forces.

Today, submarines of various classes continue to carry out combat duty and combat service within the frames of Russia's national security system. The availability of a modern submarine fleet allows Russia to remain one of the largest maritime powers.

The commemorative stamp provides an image of the St. Andrew’s Flag; the main image features Navy employees against the background of submarines of projects 955 Borey and 949A Antey.

In addition to the issue of the envelope with a commemorative stamp, JSC Marka produced special cancels for Moscow and Vilyuchinsk of the Kamchatka Territory.


Design Artist: S. Ulyanovsky.
Quantity: 500 thousand envelopes.

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