Russian navy's Pacific fleet docks at Penang - port chairperson

The Penang Port Commission today confirmed that the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet has docked at George Town from today until Oct 17.

The commission’s chairperson Yeoh Soon Hin (above), when contacted by Bernama, said the fleet had already docked at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal.

The fleet was believed to consist of the corvettes Gromkiy, Rezkiy, Aldar Tsydenzhapov, and the support vessel Pecheng.

Earlier, local media reported that the government had granted clearance for the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet to dock at Penang, including the medium seagoing tanker Pecheng, allowing them to enter Malaysian waters.

Meanwhile, according to the Russian Embassy, several events will take place in conjunction with the visit of the fleet.

These include an official ceremony tomorrow to mark the 110th anniversary of the sinking of the Russian Navy Ship Zhemchug (Pearl) during the Battle of Penang in World War I, at the Western Road Cemetery in George Town.

In addition, wreath-laying ceremonies will be held on Pulau Jerejak, where 11 crew members of the Zhemchug are buried, as well as a reception aboard one of the Russian Pacific Fleet ships at the Port of George Town tomorrow.

Also scheduled is an official meeting aboard a Russian Pacific Fleet ship which will include the ambassador of the Russian Federation to Malaysia, Nail Latypov, on Oct 16.

This will be followed by an open visit to the ship by local residents from 9am to 1pm.

Battle of Penang

The Zhemchug (Pearl) sank during the Battle of Penang in World War I, resulting in the loss of 88 Russian sailors when they were attacked by the German cruiser SMS Emden.

The Battle of Penang broke out late at night on Oct 28, 1914, when the high-speed German cruiser Emden found itself a very short distance from the Zhemchug, a Russian vessel, and launched one torpedo after another, striking the ship.

Within a few minutes, the Zhemchug vanished underwater, leaving 82 Russian crewmembers dead and 112 others wounded. Most of their remains were buried at the Western Road Cemetery, with some interred on Pulau Jerejak.

According to the Russian news agency, the Gromkiy, Rezkiy, and Aldar Tsydenzhapov had set sail to perform tasks in the Asia-Pacific region.

- Bernama

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