Russian Naval Vessels
Visit Cuba
Havana - Vessels from
the Northern Fleet of
the Russian Navy arrived
in Cuba's Havana Bay on
Friday for a visit.
The visiting fleet,
composed of
anti-submarine vessel
"Admiral Chabanenko"
with 451 crew members
and a rescuing tugboat
with 78 crew members,
will remain moored in
Havana Bay till Dec. 23.
The Russian vessels were
welcomed with a 21-gun
salute, shot from ships
in the bay and the old
Spanish fort of San
Carlos de la Cabana. The
national anthems of Cuba
and Russia were played
as well.
Many Cubans gathered at
Havana Jetty to welcome
the Russian fleet.
Russian officers of the
fleet were welcomed by
Russian Ambassador to
Cuba Mikhail Kamynin and
Vice Admiral Pedro Perez
Betancourt, chief of the
Revolutionary Navy of
Cuba.
The vessels' commander,
Vice Admiral Vladimir
Koraliov, said this was
not a courtesy visit,
but a gesture of
friendship and respect
for the Cuban people,
adding that their aim
was to strength ties
between the two navies. |
