Flag: USSR
These steamer whalers belonged to the whaleboat tender SLAVA. Both the whalers and the tender herself were obtained by the USSR as part of war reparations from Germany.
The photo represents the ceremonial return back to Odessa port in late 40s or early 50s, in 20th of May, after several hard months in the Antarctic area. Traditionally the whaler with the best "count" entered the harbour first. The smoke goes from the salute from the harpoon cannons.