Putin and African leaders attend naval parade in St. Petersburg

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday praised the Russian Navy during a naval parade in St. Petersburg (northwest), attended by several African leaders, at the end of the Russia-Africa Summit organised in the same city.

In his speech before the parade, Putin applauded "the brave crews of Russian ships and submarines" involved in the offensive in Ukraine, especially in the Black Sea, which often contributes to shelling.

"On behalf of Russia, our sailors give all their strength, show true heroism and fight bravely, like our great ancestors," Putin continued, although he did not mention the conflict in Ukraine in his speech.

Russia "constantly strengthens the power of its navy", he added.

Some 3,000 sailors and 45 surface ships and submarines took part in the parade in the former imperial capital to mark Russian Fleet Day, widely celebrated across the country.

The parade took place just after the Russia-Africa Summit organised on Thursday and Friday in the same city. Four African heads of state, Ibrahim Traoré (Burkina Faso), Assimi Goïta (Mali), Denis Sassou-Nguesso (Congo) and Isaias Afwerki (Eritrea) attended the celebration along with the Russian president.