The Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate, dubbed Project 22350, is one of Russia’s most advanced warship built by Severnaya Verf in Saint Petersburg for the Russian Navy, has passed through the Panama Canal and is currently transiting the Caribbean Sea, a Russian Northern Fleet’s press release said on Tuesday, first reported by TASS News.
The Project 22350 transited from the Eastern Pacific Ocean into the Caribbean through the Panama Canal on June 17.
“The Northern Fleet’s frigate Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov has passed through the Panama Canal and entered the Caribbean Sea. The other ships of the Northern Fleet’s naval group will pass through the Panama Canal during 24 hours,” the release says.
Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet says support vessels were also transiting the Caribbean with Project 22350.
The Admiral Gorshkov transiting through the Panama Canal yesterday. 10/https://t.co/l4ha2tsr5Y pic.twitter.com/ldMluEYjzo
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) June 18, 2019
The flotilla started the journey in February, has traveled some 26,000 miles since leaving Severomorsk in Russia’s far north. Along the way, the ships stopped in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa and Sri Lanka in the India Ocean before visiting China. Project 22350 participated in the 70th anniversary of the creation of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, said The Drive. After the Eastern Hemisphere, the ships made a port call in Ecuador before sailing to the Panama Canal.
Photos of the Admiral Gorshkov arriving in Puerto Bolivar, Ecuador. 9/https://t.co/HFdo8PUC85 pic.twitter.com/ff4X9mkqBr
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) June 12, 2019
While it’s not clear on the next port call, Russia could send the frigate to Venezuela and or Cuba, where Moscow maintains support with both countries.
Moscow, for the better part of a decade, has had the utmost desire to increase military assets in the Western Hemisphere.
Increased Russian activity in the Carribean has triggered the US Navy to reactivate the 2nd fleet to conduct more surveillance operations along the East Coast of the US.
Russia’s ability to project naval power in the Carribean shows Moscow is ready to defend its national interest in the Western Hemisphere.
via ZeroHedge News http://bit.ly/2ZvRMmg Tyler Durden