Russian Ships Dock in Venezuela as Part of 'Show the Flag' Exercises
In a move underscoring the deepening ties between Russia and Venezuela, two Russian naval ships, the frigate Admiral Gorshkov and the oil tanker Akademik Pashin, docked at the Venezuelan port of La Guaira on Tuesday. This stopover comes after a series of exercises in the Atlantic Ocean, which Moscow described as an effort to "show the flag" in remote, strategically significant regions. The arrival of these ships is part of a broader mission by Russia’s Northern Fleet, which has been active since May 17. The exercises and port visits aim to ensure the Russian naval presence in far-flung areas of the oceans, according to a statement from Russia’s Ministry of Defense, as reported by the Russian news agency Tass. The presence of the Admiral Gorshkov and Akademik Pashin in La Guaira highlights the close relationship between Russia and the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This relationship has been fostered since the days of Maduro’s predecessor, the late P...
