04.02.2009
The supervisor of the mission of Russia’s guard missile cruiser Moskva to Italy, Captain 1st Class Sergei Zinchenko, called a brief press conference right on his ship for Russia’s main news outlets to sum up the results of the visit to the Italian port of Messina.
He noted, among other things, that the cruiser fully completed its mission in Italy during the 100th commemoration of the rescue of the citizens of Messina after the earthquake that devastated the city in 1908. Russian sailors saved some 2,400 people then. “We conducted events that demonstrated that our Russian sailors remember those events and are proud of the achievements of our countrymen. Italians also demonstrated that they know their history and that Russian sailors were indeed the first to arrive in devastated Messina and offer help. That was very pleasant to us,” Zinchenko said.
“I would like to point out that the group on board, and they are officers of the staff of surface ships’ communication, medical officers, the orchestra of the Command of the Black Sea Fleet, and the Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances of the Fleet, showed their best side. A group of media representatives who reported on the events is aboard the ship. Everybody showed their best side. Our entertainment collectives performed, provided the entertainment portion of the ceremonies and received very high marks from the public. There are no reproaches to the members of the expedition.
“During their stay in Messina, our sailors took part in a football tournament that included sailors from Britain, the U.S., and Italy. And it’s pleasant to note that our guys played quite well. Unfortunately, they lost to the Italians and came out second. But the trophy they won will be added to the seven trophies already in the possession of the
Moskva.
“I would like to note that exercises were conducted with the Italian warship
Andea Doria, named after the eponymous cruiser. They were complicated, full-fledged exercises that were assessed by both sides as excellent,” Zinchenko said.
The first part of the mission has been carried out successfully and the ship continues to solve problems in the Mediterranean.
Source:
Information provided by the Information Service of the Black Sea Fleet
Translation:
RusNavy.com
