INCHON RESIDENTS VISIT RUSSIAN WARSHIPS

VLADIVOSTOK, FEBRUARY 12 (RIA NOVOSTI CORRESPONDENT ANATOLY ILYUKHOV) -- Hundreds of Inchon residents have already visited warships of a Russian Pacific fleet unit, now staying here on an official friendly visit. (South Korea's Inchon seaport was formerly called Chemulpo - Ed.) Talking to RIA Novosti, people at the Russian Pacific fleet's press center noted that the visitors were particularly interested in the Varyag guided-missile cruiser's history museum, which boasts quite a few unique photos, letters, memoirs and personal effects of sailors, who had served with the Varyag cruiser exactly 100 years ago, and who had engaged far superior Japanese forces just outside Chemulpo.

The Russian naval unit, which comprises the Varyag guided-missile cruiser, the Admiral Tributs capital ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) ship and the Koreets small ASW ship, cast anchor in Inchon February 10.

This visit is timed to coincide with the 100-the anniversary of the sinking of the Varyag cruiser and the Koreyets gunboat in a naval battle during the 1904-1905 Russian-Japanese war.

On February 11 Russian sailors took part in unveiling a memorial plaque on the wall of a former Red Cross hospital, which had treated wounded members of the Varyag crew. A monument to Varyag sailors was also opened that same day in an impressive setting.

The Russian naval unit is to complete its visit February 14, subsequently taking part in Russian-South Korean war games; those involved are to check their communications networks, also maneuvering and conducting simulated high-seas rescue operations.