KALININGRAD. May 20 (Interfax-AVN) - HMS Sutherland is to arrive at the Russian Baltic Fleet's headquarters in Baltiysk on Saturday, the Baltic Fleet press service informs.
The British warship will come to Russia under the flag of James Fanshawe, Commodore of the Devonport Flotilla. Fanshowe, the commanding officer of the ship and representatives of the British Embassy in Moscow will meet with Vice Admiral Alexander Kletskov, commander of the Baltiysk military garrison and the naval base, and Fyodor Yaroshevich, head of the Baltiysk district. Also, return visits of Russian officials are in the schedule of the visit.
Admiral Vladimir Valuyev, Baltic Fleet commander, will give two British sailors Russian medals For Strengthening Military Partnership onboard HMS Sutherland. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov ordered that the two should be awarded the medals alongside with 10 other British servicemen for courage and professionalism shown when rescuing a Russian sailor in autumn 2002.
According to the press service, James Fanshawe's great grandfather Commodore Lionel Fanshawe was in service with the Russian Royal Fleet as commanding officer of one of the first submarines. He also took part in the Russian-Japanese war as a warrant officer and was awarded a Sword of St. Vladimir. He was later transferred to the Black Sea where he was the commodore of a small subs flotilla.
Commodore James Fanshawe has a record of service with the Royal British Navy of over 30 years. It is not his first visit to Baltiysk and Russia. The previous visit was in autumn last year, when HMS Cornwall was making a tour of St. Petersburg and Baltiysk.
The Sutherland will sail off on Sunday morning. Fanshawe will stay in Baltiysk until May 23, after which he will leave for St. Petersburg from the Khabrovo airport.