The cruiser Aurora is a world heritage ship moored in St. Petersburg.It was preserved as a symbol of the Russian October Revolution 1917.One of Aurora’s historical legacy is the famous blank shot that signaled the attack on the Winter Palace and beginning of October 1917 revolutionThe Aurora stands today as the oldest commissioned ship of the Russian Navy and serves as a memorial to all the brave sailors who gave their lives in the service of Russia. She still has been manned with an active Navy crew.She entered service in 1903 and until 1948 was used as a Navy ship. Then she was forever berthed to Bol’shaya Nevka embankment as a memorial.Now the cruiser is not completely in original condition because in 1984 part of hull and superstructures was changed or modernized.Armored hull plating were replaced with ordinary one. Original armour were tugged out and sunk near the Finnish Bay coastline.Two years ago during St.Petersburg Economic Forum pleasure party was arranged on board the cruiser. That party called great dispute among society because many people had a point that it is totally inadmissible. Many VIP including governor participated in the party.That party was a last drop for Navy minister decision to issue the order to exclude the cruiser from Navy fleet sign off the crew and pass her to Navy Museum from December 01, 2010. Intervening of general public help to stop implementation of that order. Cruiser is still in Navy, serving crew consists of 3 navy seamen and 28 civilians. St. Petersburg, Russia, 2010 © for Russian Reporter Magazine