Russian Warship arrives in Port Moresby, PNG

A Russian Navy training ship sailed into Port Moresby with 234 naval cadets aboard yesterday morning.

The visit, a first by Russia, had been described as a historic business port call between Russia and Papua New Guinea.

“This is the first time in 50 years that a Russian naval vessel has visited our shores,” said Papua New Guinea Defence Force chief of staff captain (Navy) Philip Polewara, who was at port to welcome the 7000-tonne Perekop training ship.

Aboard were fifth-year naval cadets from the St Petersburg naval institute of Russia who are on a two-month navigational training that started in April.

According to Capt Polewara, the 40-year-old ship had passed through the Baltic Sea, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean and was then destined for Vladivostok in Russia.

The ship arrived at 10.30am and Capt Polewara was left impressed after a brief exchange of pleasantries and a short tour with the captain of the ship and the head of the naval institute vice-admiral Vladimir Sokolov.

“They still employ some of the earliest forms of navigation, using the celestial navigation and that’s something we the navy can learn, and as people all we know is that Russia is a big country, home of the polar bears, it is up north,” he said.

Capt Polewara said Russia was not only in Europe but also extended to the Pacific that was why it was often described by the international media as showing increased interest in the Pacific.

The Perekop cadets’ three-day visit include city tours, cultural visits, friendly sports with the PNG Defence Force, and courtesy meetings with the government.

According to The Australian newspaper, the training warship Perekop is a part of the Baltic fleet of the Russian Navy and is equipped with a modern radio-technical and navigational equipment as well as combat armament.

The warship, which is here until Saturday, will be open to the public today at 1pm at the old wharf in town. Post Courier/PACNEWS/PNG TODAY