Russian corvettes in Chittagong on goodwill visit

The Bay of Bengal took on a distinctively Baltic hue this week as two Russian Navy corvettes, the Rezkiy and the Sovershenny, glided into Chittagong port for a four-day goodwill visit. 

The arrival of these Steregushchiy-class stealth powerhouses on Tuesday marks a significant moment of maritime diplomacy, signalling a warming of defence ties between Moscow and Dhaka. 

As the ships entered Bangladeshi waters, they were greeted with a formal maritime reception by the Bangladesh Navy vessel BNS Umar Farooq, setting the stage for a series of high-level engagements and cultural exchanges, according to ISPR.

The welcoming party at the pier was a heavy-hitting mix of military brass and diplomatic figures. The Chief Staff Officer of the Chittagong Naval Region officially received the visiting captains and crews. At the same time, the Russian Embassy’s Minister-Counsellor Vyacheslav Sentyurin and the versatile Military Attaché Colonel Pavel Ivashinnikov stood by to underscore the political weight of the visit. This isn't just a casual stopover; it’s an "extensive programme" designed to foster deep-rooted cooperation through sit-downs with the Commander of the Chittagong Naval Region and the port authorities.

Beyond the boardroom meetings and tactical discussions, the visit is steeped in historical reverence. Russian officials and sailors are scheduled to pay their respects at the tomb of Soviet sailor Yuri Redkin at the Bangladesh Naval Academy – a poignant reminder of the long-standing ties that date back to the 1971 Liberation War era. The itinerary also includes tours of naval training bases and iconic tourist sites around Chittagong, allowing for a mix of professional "shop talk" and local cultural immersion.

As the ships prepare to depart on March 27, the Russian Embassy has emphasised that this mission is about more than just presence; it is about creating "new avenues" for training and mutual experience.