In a historic move, a fleet of Russian ships has entered the Chittagong port in Bangladesh for the first time in half a century. The fleet consists of two large anti-submarine warfare ships from the Russian Pacific Fleet, Admiral Tributs and Admiral Panteleyev, along with the tanker Pechenga.
According to Alexander Mantytsky, the Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh, the previous entry of Russian naval forces into Bangladesh took place in 1971 during a mission to clear and demine the Chittagong port. “The port’s waters were mined after the war for independence, and dozens of ships were sunk here,” the ambassador explained.
He further stated that only the Soviet Union helped resolve the issue, with the operation lasting for 26 months. Tragically, one of the Soviet navy divers lost his life during the mission.
It was reported earlier that the new naval minesweeper “Lev Chernavin,” a part of the Alexandrite-class project 12700 and intended for the Baltic Fleet, has set sail for sea trials.
Previously, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hailed the Russian Pacific Fleet as a guarantee of security in Asia and the world.