Koreans returned to Russia jack "Varyag"

The authorities of the South Korean city of Incheon, near which during the Russian-Japanese War took an unequal battle cruiser "Varyag" and gunboat "Korean", the Russian side handed over the flag of legendary cruiser.

The Russian Embassy in Seoul in the presence of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev held a ceremony of handing over the Russian side of the authorities of the South Korean city of Incheon jack (naval flag), the legendary cruiser "Varyag».

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The Russian president called it a landmark event. "Transmission jack from the cruiser" Varyag "to us is of particular symbolic importance because it is the memory of the unparalleled heroism of the sailors of the cruiser" Varyag ", on the one hand, and on the other - it is a symbol of new very good relations that bind the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea "- said Medvedev, ITAR-TASS reported.

He expressed gratitude to the Mayor of Incheon for the decision, noting that the process of transferring special symbolism attached to the fact that it takes place during the visit of the President of the Russian Federation.

"Given today jack from the cruiser" Varyag ", we pay tribute to the heroism of our sailors and, on the other hand, tried to show that in every life a feat, and we hope that the proper storage, which will be with us, will enable the younger generations of Russians to focus also on what was done by their ancestors many years ago, "- said Medvedev.



Incheon Mayor Song Young-Gil said that 100 years ago, in a bay near Incheon (former port Chemulpo) was an important battle, the citizens of the city of treasured flag that witnessed the battle.

According to him, "the decision on the transfer for a period of five years, the jack of the Russian Federation" adopted in connection with the visit of the Russian President to the Republic of Korea and with the approval of the President of Kazakhstan.

According to the accepted South Korea's rules, any museum piece can be transferred to another country only if authorized by the president of the country and on the terms of the lease.

The Russian side expects that every five years, rent will be extended.

After the speech, the Russian president and the mayor of Incheon Navy Commander Vladimir Vysotsky and director of the museum From Incheon Kwang Sok signed the act on the transfer jack. Then a guard of honor of the Guards missile cruiser "Varyag", which is currently on a visit in Incheon, took the jack out of the hands of Korean sailors. As told by the deputy commander of the compound rocket ships Captain First Rank Vladimir Piskaykin, before deciding on the storage location of the flag jack will be located at the Museum of the missile cruiser "Varyag". It is expected that in a few days the ship assigned to the city Fokino 130 kilometers from Vladivostok, go home



According Piskaykina, it would be logical if the jack transferred for permanent storage in the Central Naval Museum in St. Petersburg.

At the beginning of the Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905 the cruiser "Varyag" and gunboat "Korean" were in the port of Inch'on location in the Russian Embassy in Seoul. There, then, are the ships of other countries, including England, France and the United States.

Japanese squadron of Rear Admiral Uriu January 26, 1904 blocked Chemulpo, trying to cover the landing and prevent the intervention of the "Varyag».

Captain "Varyag" Vsevolod Rudnev received from Uriu ultimatum demanded up to 12 hours to leave the port under the threat of attack. Rudnev decided to break with the battle at Port Arthur, and in case of failure - to blow up the ships. At noon, "Varyag" and "Korean" came out Chemulpo. Departing from the port at 10 miles the ships met the Japanese squadron, which was behind the island Yodolmi. The battle lasted 50 minutes. During this time the "Varyag" released in 1105 by the enemy shells and join the battle at the end of the battle, "Korean" - 52. According to a report by the commander, the fire of the "Varyag" was sunk by a torpedo boat and damaged four Japanese cruisers. The Japanese lost 30 men killed and about 200 - wounded. The ship returned to the port of Inch'on, where they received an ultimatum from the Japanese to surrender, but the sailors have rejected it. By decision of the board of officers "Varyag" was flooded, and "Korean" exploded.

After lying on the bottom of the Yellow Sea over a year, "Varyag" was raised, repaired and commissioned into the Imperial Japanese Navy under the name of "Soy". In 1916 Russia bought the ship from Japan for 4 million yen.

At the beginning of 1917 "Varyag" had gone to England at the docks of Liverpool docks for repairs, which stood until 1920. The money for the repairs have not been allocated, and eventually the ship was sold for scrap in Glasgow (Scotland). Following in Glasgow towed across the Irish Sea, the ship caught in a storm and sat down on the rocks. All attempts to save the ship were unsuccessful. In 1925, the cruiser was partially dismantled on the spot, and 127-meter body blown up.



The current "Varyag", the successor to the legendary ship of the same name of the first generation, armed with a powerful multipurpose attack missile system, which allows you to hit the surface and ground targets at a considerable distance. Also in his arsenal are reactive bombometnye installation, torpedo tubes and a few guns of different caliber and purpose.



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