The Russian navy is to be enlarged this year by the delivery of 30 new ships, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday as he attended an annual warship parade in Saint Petersburg.

"Today, Russia is confidently implementing the large-scale tasks of our national maritime policy and is consistently building up the strength of our navy," said Putin. "This year alone, 30 ships of different classes are being added to the fleet."

Putin also praised navy personnel, saying they "give all their strength, show true heroism and fight valiantly, like our great ancestors."

However, he barely mentioned Russia's invasion of Ukraine — which the Kremlin calls a "special military operation" — where the navy is playing a key role, mainly by launching missiles at targets in the country from ships and submarines.

Forty-five ships, boats and submarines, along with some 3,000 servicemen, took part in the parade on water and land, according to the Kremlin.

Saint Petersburg was the venue for a Russia-Africa summit earlier this week, and several leaders and representatives of African countries, including Mali and Burkina Faso, also attended the parade.