Fyodor Ushakov | |
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![]() Portrait by Peter Bajanov, Central Naval Museum (1912) | |
Native name | Фёдор Фёдорович Ушаков |
Nickname(s) | Ushak Pasha |
Born | Burnakovo, Moscow Governorate, Russian Empire | 24 February 1745
Died | 14 October 1817 Alekseevka, Tambov Governorate, Russian Empire | (aged 72)
Buried | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1766–1812 |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands held | Black Sea Fleet |
Battles/wars | Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774) Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792) |
Awards |
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Relations | House of Ushakov |
Feodor (Theodore) Ushakov | |
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![]() Russian icon of Saint Fyodor Ushakov | |
Holy Righteous Warrior | |
Venerated in | Eastern Orthodoxy |
Canonized | 7 August 2001, Sanaksar Monastery, Temnikov, Russia by Russian Orthodox Church |
Major shrine | Sanaksar Monastery, Temnikov, Russia |
Feast | 2 October 23 July, 23 May |
Attributes | Admiral attire Telescope Scroll Medals |
Patronage | Russian Navy Nuclear bombers |
Fyodor Fyodorovich Ushakov (Russian: Фёдор Фёдорович Ушаков, romanized: Fëdor Fëdorovič Ušakov, IPA: [ʊʂɐˈkof]; 24 February [O.S. 13 February] 1745 – 14 October [O.S. 2 October] 1817) was a Russian naval commander and admiral. He won every engagement he participated in as the admiral of the Russian fleet, and is regarded as one of the greatest naval commanders in history, and one of the most capable naval commanders of Russia of all time.[1][2][3]
Distinguishing features of Ushakov's tactics were: use of unified marching and fighting orders; resolute closing to close quarters with the enemy forces without evolution of a fighting order; concentration of effort against enemy flagships; maintaining a reserve (Kaiser-flag squadrons); combination of aimed artillery fire and maneuvering; and chasing the enemy to its total destruction or capture.
Giving great value to sea and fire training of his staff, Ushakov was a supporter of generalissimo Suvorov's principles of training for sailors and officers. Ushakov's innovations were among the first successful developments of naval tactics, from its "line" to maneuvering concepts.
Several warships have been named after Admiral Ushakov.
On 3 March 1944 the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR established the Order of Ushakov for Navy officers who showed outstanding achievement leading to victory over a numerically superior enemy. This medal was one of several which was preserved in Russia upon the dissolution of the Soviet Union, thus remaining one of the highest military awards in the Russian Federation. The Ushakov Medal was established simultaneously for servicemen who had risked their life in naval theatres defending the Soviet Union. In May 2014, the medal was presented to 19 surviving British sailors who had served on the Arctic convoys during World War II in a ceremony aboard HMS Belfast.[6]
The Baltic Naval Institute in Kaliningrad also carries his name. The minor planet 3010 Ushakov, discovered by Soviet astronomer Lyudmila Ivanovna Chernykh in 1978, is named after him.[7]
In 1953 two Soviet films were released portraying his career: Attack from the Sea and Admiral Ushakov. In both films he was played by Ivan Pereverzev.
Ushakov is one of the eight patrons depicted in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ at Patriot Park, Moscow.
On 7 August 2001 the Russian Orthodox Church glorified Ushakov as a Saint and declared him the patron of the Russian Navy. His relics are enshrined in Sanaksar Monastery, Temnikov, Russia.
State Corporation Rostec implemented a project to bring Ushakov's relics from Mordovia to Russia.[8]
In 2005, in the Cathedral of St. Theodore Ushakov in Saransk (Mordovia), Patriarch Alexius II declared Saint Feodor (Theodore) Ushakov the patron saint of Russian nuclear-armed strategic bombers.
His feast days are 2 October (day of death), 23 July (glorification) and 23 May (saints of Yaroslavl and Rostov).[9]