Russian Pacific Fleet Continues Journey After Ending Four-Day Visit To Penang

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- After completing several missions, the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet, which docked at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) here since last Monday, safely departed today.

Navy officers and Royal Malaysia Navy (TLDM) staff were present at the SPCT as a sign of gratitude and to wish a safe voyage to the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy which included the corvettes Gromkiy, Rezkiy and Aldar Tsydenzhapov and the support vessel Pecheng.

According to the TLDM Facebook page, Deputy Regional Commander 3 TLDM Capt. Yusman Darmawan presented Penang's 'trademark' gift of Pak Ali's ‘Jeruk Madu’ to the Commander of the Naval Group, Captain 1st Rank Alexie Antsiferov as a sign of remembrance and friendship.

“Also present was the Russian Military Advisor in Malaysia, Captain 1st Rank Victor Shkulepa. Through Victor, the captain of the ship and the fleet members expressed their gratitude for the great hospitality provided throughout their visit and stay in Penang,” according to the posting today.

During the four days of stay in Penang, the Russian detachment carried out several important missions including paying their last respects to 89 navy officers who were laid to rest at the Western Road Cemetery here after they died during a tragic incident of the sinking of the warship Zhemchug in the Battle of Penang during the First World War.

Apart from that, a ceremonial reception commemorating the friendly visit of the Russian Naval Fleet Detachment to Asia Pacific was also organized, which was attended by Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Russian Ambassador to Malaysia Naiyl Latypov and Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang, Jagdeep Singh Deo.

Meanwhile, several respectful visits were also made by the Russian embassy delegation and the Russian Navy detachment on the Pearl Island.

The Battle of Penang was sparked late on the night of Oct 28, 1914 when the German high-speed ship SMS Emden was at very close range with the Zhemchug and launched a series of torpedo attacks which hit the Russian ship.

Within a few minutes, the Zhemchug disappeared underwater causing 82 Russian soldiers to be killed and 112 more injured. Most of their bodies were buried at the Western Road Cemetery here while the others were on Pulau Jerejak.

According to the Russian News Agency, Gromkiy, Rezkiy and Aldar Tsydenzhapov are now on a voyage to carry out assignments in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

-- BERNAMA