Russia Pacific Fleet warships return from U.S.

16.07.2010 A group of Russia's Pacific Fleet warships led by the missile cruiser Varyag on Thursday returned from the United States to the Russian port of Vladivostok.

The group, including the missile cruiser Varyag, the rescue tugboat Foty Krylov and the tanker Boris Butoma commanded by Rear Admiral Vladimir Kasatonov, visited San Francisco, California, on June 21 -July 26.

The voyage to California and back was held as part of an effort to promote U.S.-Russian military cooperation. On June 23, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited the missile cruiser Varyag in San Francisco when he was on an official visit to the United States. He met with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and visited the Silicon Valley before heading off to Washington, DC, to meet with President Barack Obama.

The sailors were met in Vladivostok by the fleet commander, relatives, friends and military musicians.

"The friendly visit to San Francisco was a success," Adm. Konstantin Sidenko, commander of Russia's Pacific Fleet, said and welcomed the sailors home with the Russian tradition of three roast piglets symbolizing a successful mission.

Russia's Pacific Fleet press service said that mutual friendly visits and joint Russian-U.S. visits have become common.