Russian naval ships call at Bangladesh port after 50 years

A Russian Pacific Fleet Squadron has called at Chattogram Port of Bangladesh for the first time after 50 years.

The Embassy of Russia in Bangladesh shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, “The Russian Pacific Fleet Squadron is visiting the Chattogram Port, which is a huge milestone for Russia-Bangladesh relations”.

The last time Russian/Soviet naval ships visited Bangladesh was 50 years ago, said the embassy.

The Pacific Fleet Squadron comprises the large anti-submarine warfare ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Panteleyev and the oceanic tanker Pechenga, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

TASS quoted Russian Honorary Consul in Chittagong Ashik Imran as saying that the ships are here solely on a friendly visit.

“This is evidence that the relations between the two states are currently at a very high level,” he stressed.

The Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy told the news agency that the last time Russian warships were here, it was to carry out a unique and, unfortunately, little-known operation to clear the Chittagong port of mines.

“At that time, the group of Russian naval ships came here actually to save the young country that gained its independence in 1971 from a humanitarian catastrophe. After the war of independence, the port’s waters were mined and also tens of vessels were sunk there,” the ambassador said.