MOSCOW. Nov 27 (Interfax-AVN) - Navy Commander Vladimir Kuroyedov has sent a message to the Russian marines congratulating them on the 296th anniversary of the Marine Corps establishment that is marked on Tuesday, November 27.
Anniversary celebrations will be held in all stationing areas of the Marine Corps on the Baltic Sea, in the Polar region, on the Pacific Ocean and the Black Sea on Tuesday, spokesmen for the Navy command told Interfax-Military News Agency.
"The marines have practically abandoned long-term sea voyages due to financing problems and they are starting to lose their skills," the spokesmen said. "In the late 1980s and early 1990s several marine battalions spend two, three or sometimes even more months in sea voyages, but this year only two marine companies have participated in short-term voyages," the spokesmen said.
The Navy command demands that commanders of fleets, units and formations use sea voyages of landing ships to the highest extent for organizing combat training of marines.
The training level of marines is still high, the spokesmen stressed. It was proven by marine units taking part in the anti-guerrilla operation in Chechnya. "The command of the unified federal group in the North Caucasus has praised several times combat efficiency of marine units, saying that it was among the highest in the group," the spokesman said.
The Russian Marine Corps was established by Peter the Great in 1705.