BSF Landing Ship Azov Called at Same-Named Port

13.09.2011 Black Sea Fleet (BSF) large landing ship Azov has completed the visit to Russian port of Azov. The crewmen took part in festivities associated with the Town Day.

Arrival of the warship was the outstanding event for the small port town and was signalized with fire of shipborne salute guns.

During the stay in the town, over 1,500 cadets of Cossack schools and residents have visited the ship. BSF servicemen attended the solemn meeting related to 944th anniversary of Azov's foundation and 370th anniversary of the Great Azov Siege. Local authorities express gratitude to command of Southern Military District and Black Sea Fleet for the fact that Azov-sponsored ship arrived in the town to participate in festivities and became the core event of the celebrations.

The festival was conducted with participation of Rostov Governor Vasily Golubev, Southern Military District Commander Gen. Col. Alexander Galkin, BSF Commander Rear Admiral Alexander Fedotenkov, Patriarch Cyril, and Azov Mayor Sergei Bezdolny.

Speaking on behalf of all Black Sea Fleet servicemen, Rear Admiral Alexander Fedotenkov congratulated all locals of Azov on the holiday. He reminded about Peter the Great's Azov campaigns when glorious traditions of Black Sea Fleet were founded, and about valor of Russian battleship Azov commanded by Capt 1 rank Mikhail Lazarev during the Navarino Battle. For exceptional heroism of her crew, Azov was the first ship awarded St. George's ensign. The baton of glorious deeds was passed from Lazarev to his successors, heroes of Sevastopol defense operation admirals Nakhimov, Kornilov, and Istomin.

After parade of Cossack troops at Petrovskaya Square, BSF sailors laid wreath at the Great Azov Siege Memorial. Then, onboard large landing ship Azov crewmembers met with retired sailors formerly served on same-named ships.