Five Russian naval ships of the Pacific Fleet arrived at the Port of Colombo on 24th November 2013 for replenishment and crews’ relaxation. The ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on their arrival. The ships, “Admiral Panteleyev”, “Peresvet”, “Admiral Nevelsky”, “Fotiy Krylov” and “Pechenga”, are on their way from the Mediterranean to their home port in Vladivostok.
“Admiral Panteleyev” is an anti-submarine ship commanded by Captain 1st Rank Oleg V. Puzin. It is 162 meters in length. It has a displacement of 7,595 tons and a complement of 92 officers and 336 seamen onboard.
“Admiral Nevelsky” and “Peresvet” are landing ships commanded by Captain 2nd Rank Igor A. Akulov and Captain 3rd Rank Oleg V. Potapov respectively. Each is 112 meters in length and has a displacement of 4,000 tons. “Admiral Nevelsky” has a complement of 24 officers and 115 seamen while “Peresvet” has a complement of 28 officers and 117 seamen onboard.
“Fotiy Krylov” is a salvage tug commanded by Alexander A. Smirnov. It is 98 meters in length. It has a displacement of 7,542 tons and a complement of 04 officers, 13 seamen and 48 sailors onboard.
“Pechenga” is a replenishment vessel commanded by Vasily M. Shylyaev. It is 130 meters in length. It has a displacement of 11,140 tons and a complement of 03 officers, 10 seamen and 49 sailors onboard.
The ships' visit is significant for several reasons. The visit of ships of the Russian Pacific Fleet is taking place after several years and is an indication of the Russian naval interest in the region. Further, the transit also signifies the Sri Lanka’s geo-strategic location in the Indian Ocean as a Maritime Hub for ships traversing from Far West to Far East. Incidentally, the Sri Lanka Navy under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development is conducting the annual maritime conference in Galle during the same period. The theme of this year’s international gathering is “Emerging Maritime Trends in the Indian Ocean”. Russian Mission Commander of the fleet, Captain 1st Rank Maxim S. Alalykin is attending the Galle Dialogue 2013 during the same period.
Such interactions improve the bilateral relations and also enhance the mutual cooperation of the navies. The ships' crew will be engaging in such friendly exchanges as our forefathers had done many centuries ago with traders and travelers who came from East and West whilst cruising on the sea-based Silk Route.