'Black Death' That Guards Moscow: Russia Celebrates Naval Infantry Day

November 27 is observed annually in Russia as the Naval Infantry Day. Having earned themselves a fearsome reputation during World War II, with Nazi Germans nicknaming them the 'black death', marines remain one of the most deadly and versatile branches of the Russian Armed Forces.

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The charge of Russian marines.

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Artillery of the Russian Pacific Fleet marine brigade greet Indian warships with a salute.

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© Sputnik / Taras Litvinenko

Russian Black Sea Fleet marines in scuba diving gear.

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© Sputnik / Yevgeny Khaldey

WWII Soviet marines ready for deployment.

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Marines take part in dress rehearsal of the Russian Navy Day parade.

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Armored personnel carriers with marines aboard land on Cape Clerk during drills in the Eastern Military district.

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© Sputnik / Igor Zarembo

Russian Baltic Fleet marines stage an exhibition performance prior to the beginning of the Race of Heroes military sports event.

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Soviet marines assault enemy positions during the battle for Sevastopol in WWII.

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© Sputnik / Vasiliy Batanov

Russian marines participate in the Naval Infantry Day celebration in Sevastopol.

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Russian marines train at the Russky Island in Primorsky Territory.

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Soviet marines.

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© Sputnik / Vasiliy Batanov

Russian marines take part in Russian Navy Day celebration in Sevastopol.

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Russian marine demonstrates a PKP Pecheneg light machinegun at an arms and equipment expo held during the Eastern Military District Innovations Day in Vladivostok.

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Pacific Fleet Marines take part in Russian Navy Day celebrations in Vladivostok.

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© Sputnik / K. Kulychenko

A team of Soviet marines with a multiple launch rocket system.

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© Sputnik / Mikhail Fomichev

Members of a Russian Northern Fleet marine assault detachment take part in airborne deployment drills.

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Elements of the Russian Pacific Fleet's marine brigade embark on Admiral Nevelskoy large landing ship during a snap combat readiness test of the Eastern Military District forces.

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Russian marines engage in an arm wrestling contest.

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© Sputnik / Igor Zarembo

Serviceman fires an RPG during marine forces drill in Russia's Kaliningrad Region.

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© Sputnik / Vitaliy Ankov

Marines of the Russian Pacific Fleet deploy during a combat readiness test of the Eastern Military District forces.