Russian ships will enter the Pakistani port of Karachi today

Destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov

Irkut tanker

A Russian Pacific Fleet squadron that took part in multilateral naval exercises earlier this month has entered the Indian Ocean and will visit Pakistan’s port city of Karachi, fleet spokesman Roman Martov told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

“The Pacific Fleet vessels led by the Primorsky mixed-forces unit's deputy commander, Rear Admiral Vladimir Dmitriyev, have sailed through the Strait of Malacca and set a course for the Indian Ocean,” Martov said.He specified that during their tour in the Indian Ocean the ships are planning to visit Pakistan’s port city of Karachi.

Russia’s large anti-submarine warship Marshal Shaposhnikov, tanker Irkut and service ship Alatau began their voyage in the Indian Ocean in mid-March. From March 29 to April 3 the Russian crews took part in the 2014 Komodo multilateral naval exercises, which focused on disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.

Ships from 17 countries took part in training for search and rescue operations, first aid measures and evacuation efforts from disaster areas.