18.11.2009 On November 17 Pacific Fleet task unit led by Guards missile cruiser Varyag under command of Vice Admiral Sergei Avakiants sailed off to native lands after visiting Singapore port.
Pacific mariners had six days of eventful visit – protocol meetings, exchange of official delegations, sight-seeing tours over Singapore and Changi Naval Base.
Those days our ships were visited by delegation from Primorsky Krai headed by the Governor Sergei Darkin. Among the members of delegation was Benjamin the Archbishop of Far East and Vladivostok. During the meeting five servicemen of Varyag cruiser were awarded with memorable signs "70 years of Primorsky Krai", and twenty five sailors won the Governor's Prize.
Distinct event of that call was visit of the President Dmitry Medvedev on board the cruiser. The head of the state was shown the museum of cruiser's glory and then spent some time drinking tea and talking with crewmembers in the mess-room.
In opinion of task unit command, all missions of the visit were accomplished in full. Our crews worthily represented Russia and St. Andrew's flag in Singapore.
Now Pacific mariners are ahead of cruise to home base which will be traditionally full of drills and combat trainings.