Three battleships from Russia’s Pacific fleet, led by the ship named Admiral Vinogradov, docked at Tien Sa port in the central province of Da Nang for a friendly four-day visit to Vietnam on May 7.

During visit, exchange activities will be organized to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the Stalingrad battle victory during the patriotic war of the Soviet Union.

The ships’ officers paid courtesy visits to the Da Nang People’ Committee, the High Command of Military Zone 5 and the Headquarters of Naval Zone 3.

On the occasion, the Vietsovpetro and Russian side held a ceremony to hand over a memorial stele of Russian soldiers, who died in Vietnam.

Russian officers and sailors are scheduled to play volleyball and football with the teams of Naval Zone 3 and the High Command of Military Zone 5 and visit the world heritage sites in Da Nang city and the central region.

Commander Ivan Kovalev – leader of the Admiral Vinogradov, said that the visit is expected to step up solidarity between two nations. He added the ships, which are regular members of Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet, are ready for a return to Vietnam and Cam Ranh Port, where the warship Vinogradov used to dock.

In addition to an interactive session with local military forces, the ship Vinogradov will also open its doors to local visitors.

Put into service since 1989, Admiral Vinogradov has participated in military activities in the Gulf region in 1990 and 1993, and is currently taking part in fights against pirates off the Aden Gulf.

Three ships will leave Da Nang to return to its army base situated off the Pacific Ocean on May 11.

The ships have just completed its security escort trip for Russian cargo ships from Africa to Russia.

Source: Tuoi Tre/VNE/SGGP