Russian missile cruiser to depart on visit to Singapore

The missile cruiser Varyag, the flagship of Russia's Pacific Fleet, will sail on Tuesday on a month-long tour-of-duty, which will include a visit to Singapore, a fleet spokesman said."The group of ships departing today from Vladivostok comprises the Varyag missile cruiser, the Fotiy Krylov salvage tug and the Pechenga tanker," the official said.

"There is a naval infantry unit, an air support group and a number of naval cadets on board the cruiser," he added.According to the spokesman, the main goal of the visit to Singapore is "to further develop and strengthen friendly contacts between the two countries."Varyag is a Slava-class missile cruiser, which entered service with the Pacific Fleet in 1990.

In 2007, the warship visited the South Korean port of Pusan, while in April this year it led a fleet of 21 foreign naval vessels participating in a parade to mark the 60th anniversary of China's Navy off the coast of the eastern city of Qingdao.The Fotiy Krylov and the Pechenga were part of a naval task force from the Pacific Fleet, led by the Admiral Vinogradov destroyer, which participated in international anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden in January-March this year.

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