Petr Veliky commemorated predecessors died in Tsushima battle

17.05.2010 The crew of Northern Fleet (NF) flagship heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Petr Veliky held a solemn ceremony on Monday in the Sea of Japan; they commemorated Russian sailors died in Tsushima battle during Russo-Japanese War in 1905, informs RIA Novosti.

The crew paraded in full dress on the cruiser's deck. Felix Menkov, cruiser's commanding officer and Arkady Mogilevets, deputy commander for educational work in their speech emphasized significance of keeping in memory those tragic but heroic pages of Russian naval history.

The cruiser's crew held a minute of silence in honor of lost comrades-in-arms. A wreath was laid down the water. Some officers confessed that they had chosen naval service by inspiration of Russian sailors' courage displayed during Tsushima battle.

"This battle holds a specific place in my life. Fifteen years ago I read about it in Novikov-Priboi's book "Tsushima". It impressed me so much that I was fascinated by naval history and ships, and finally entered naval academy. Once I couldn't even dream of being at this legendary place and now I'm here", said Lt. Georgy Stadnik, officer of Petr Veliky.

He pointed out that "heroism and bravery of Russian sailors shown in that battle is still the high example of virtue" for him.

"Today, being in this sacred place for the first time, I bow to all those who died in that war. Never could imagine being here, at the place of those events", said Stadnik.

Tsushima battle was the last operation in Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. It happened on May 27, 1905 in the Korea Strait off Tsushima Island between Russia's 2nd Pacific Squadron tried to get to Vladivostok and Japanese imperial fleet. Russian unit contained 38 warships, Japanese had 98. Russian force had no chance to win the battle. About 6,000 Russian sailors died in the battle; many of them displayed examples of unprecedented heroism and fortitude.