On Ukrainian Navy Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded state honors to servicemen in recognition of their role in regaining control over the Black Sea. Since 2022, Ukraine's naval forces have disrupted Russian military operations by sinking or damaging 28 Russian warships and one submarine, including the Moskva cruiser. Ukrainian forces maintain control over strategic locations such as Snake Island and Zmiiniy Island, ensuring the continued operation of the "grain corridor" vital for global food supplies. The Ukrainian Navy has effectively pushed the Russian fleet into remote eastern bays, limiting its operational reach. Celebrations included the unveiling of a giant Ukrainian Navy flag by cadets from the Odesa Naval Academy on the Potemkin Stairs. Despite Ukraine's limited conventional naval fleet, these achievements have demonstrated significant maritime defense capabilities and contributed to the country's broader security and territorial defense efforts amid ongoing conflict with Russia.