800 Russian mariners took part in post-war minesweeping

Russian navy officials, who extended their all-out support to Bangladesh in the mine-sweeping operation in the Bay of Bengal after the independence of the country, attended the Victory Day celebration.

In 1971, the USSR supported the struggle of the people of Bangladesh for independence and was one of the first to recognise the new sovereign state, said a Russian embassy press release yesterday.

After the liberation, the Soviet Union extended its helping hand to Bangladesh in reviving its economy. Of great importance was the mine-sweeping operation in the Chittagong port conducted by Special Expedition-12 of the Soviet Navy in 1972-1974.

To remember the self-sacrificing job of Russian navy officers, the government invited them to visit the country again after 42 years and to celebrate its 46th Victory Day together.

More than 800 Russian mariners were involved in the minesweeping operation in the Bay of Bengal. However, only four of them managed to visit, since many of their colleagues either died or could not travel due to their age.

Victor Kozhurin, captain second rank, who served as a senior engineer of the Special Expedition-12 engineer service, led the delegation. The guests arrived in Dhaka along with their spouses on the eve of the Victory Day.

Vladimir Karamyshev served as a senior assistant to the commander of the main minesweeper. Alexander Chukanin was the commander of Electro Mechanic Combat Unit-5 Floating Crane "Chernomorets 13".

Nikolay Koloskov was posted as the deputy commander of the Ship Raising Party.

Anna Molchanova, spouse of late Vladimir Molchanov, visited on behalf of her husband, who served as the main engineer of the expedition and loved Bangladesh very much.

Vladimir Molchanov and Viktor Kozhurin wrote a book on the USSR mine-sweeping and ship-raising operation in the Bay of Bengal --The Fairway is Clean Again.

During the official reception at Gono Bhaban Thursday, Kozhurin presented the book to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and suggested it be translated into Bangla.

The Russian delegation was warmly received at the Bangladesh Navy headquarters. Chief of Bangladesh Naval Staff Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed expressed profound gratitude for Russia's contribution in the war and its wholehearted cooperation in many aspects.

Yesterday, Russian officers and their spouses witnessed the Victory Day parade in Dhaka, and were invited to the presidential palace for a special reception and attended a dinner in their honour by Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq. The Russian officers will visit Chittagong today.