KOCHI, Kerala, India, October 22 (ANI) — Three ships from the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet, including a frigate and a large anti-submarine ship, arrived at Kochi port in Kerala on Wednesday, the Russian Embassy in India announced.
In a post on X, the Russian Embassy said, “On October 21, ships from the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet arrived at the Indian port of #Kochi, in the state of #Kerala. The group includes the frigate ‘Marshal Shaposhnikov,’ the large anti-submarine ship ‘Admiral Tributs’ and the tanker ‘Pechenga.’”
The arrival comes amid ongoing maritime engagement between India and Russia. The two countries recently conducted Exercise INDRA 2026, a bilateral naval exercise aimed at strengthening operational coordination and interoperability.
The Indian and Russian navies held the opening ceremony for the exercise’s harbor phase in Vladivostok on October 15, bringing together personnel from INS Sahyadri and the Russian Navy.
In a post on X, the Indian Navy said the program included cross-deck visits and a protocol meeting with the deputy mayor of Vladivostok, highlighting both navies’ commitment to maritime cooperation.
The harbor phase began with a planning conference involving the operational teams of INS Sahyadri and the Russian Navy ship Aldar Tsydenzhapov. Senior personnel from the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet also participated in discussions outlining the program for the sea phase.
During the engagement, the INS Sahyadri delegation also held a protocol meeting with Vice Adm. A. Y. Sysuev, commander of the Primorsky Flotilla of the Pacific Fleet’s mixed forces.
Exercise INDRA 2026, held from October 13 to 18, featured harbor engagements and coordinated operational activities at sea. The exercise aimed to enhance mutual understanding, operational coordination and interoperability between the participating navies.
The Indian Navy’s participation in the exercise aligns with the Government of India’s MAHASAGAR vision — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — and reflects the longstanding defense and maritime partnership between India and Russia. (ANI)
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