As part of a transatlantic journey, the cruise ship ‘Varyag’ and the frigate ‘Marshal Shaposhnikov’ of the Russian Navy will carry out visits to different ports in Latin American countries accompanied by a fleet tanker.
According to the TASS news agency, “After a stopover in Tartus (Syria) and an operation in the Russian Navy’s permanent force in the Mediterranean, the group of warships from the Pacific Fleet will sail towards the Atlantic to make port calls in maritime ports of friendly countries in Latin America.” Recently, the cruiser Varyag sailed through the Suez Canal entering the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, while the “Marshal Shaposhnikov” made its first stop in Massawa, on the coast of the Red Sea in Eritrea, on March 28.
Both units participated weeks ago in the Combined Naval Exercise “Security Belt-2024,” which took place in the waters of the Gulf of Oman alongside Task Force Escort No. 45 of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, composed of the Type 052D Urumqi missile destroyer, the Type 054A Linyi missile frigate, and the logistics ship Dongpinghu, while the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy highlighted the Alvand-class frigate Borz (72) and the Jamaran (76) of the Moudge class as hosts, along with the presence of the new stealth missile corvettes Shahid Soleimani class, alongside other naval units.
The Varyag is currently the flagship of the Russian Pacific Fleet. Originally launched as the “Chervona Ukraína,” it entered service in 1989 and received its current name in 1996. Belonging to the Slava class, these cruisers were designed as a lower displacement alternative to the Kirov-class nuclear cruisers. With a length of 186 meters, the Varyag displaces 11,490 tons, notable for carrying 16 P-1000 Vulkan missile launchers, along with 8 VLS SA-N-6 Grumble launchers, 2 TOR cannons, 1 130mm cannon, 6 AK-630 30mm close-in weapon systems (CIWS), and 2 553mm torpedo tubes.
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