A task force from the Russian Pacific Fleet led by the Varyag missile cruiser completed its a friendly visit to the United States and left San Francisco, a Pacific Fleet spokesman said on Saturday.
The visit, which began on June 21, was dedicated to the first official visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to the United States, held between June 22 and 24. The Russian leader visited Varyag on Wednesday.
The naval group also includes the Fotiy Krylov salvage tug and the Boris Butoma tanker.
"As the visit was completed on Saturday, the Pacific Fleet task force left San Francisco and headed back to Vladivostok. The visit was held in welcoming and warmly atmosphere, an extensive cultural program was prepared for Russian sailors," Capt. 1st Rank Roman Martov said.
During the visit, hundreds of Californians lined up to see and visit the missile cruiser, docked in the San Francisco Bay, near the city center.
"The military delegation of the Pacific Fleet visited San Francisco mayor's office, the sailors got acquainted with the city and its history, visited museums and landmark sites and held sporting and informal events with their U.S. colleagues," the source said.
The Varyag is a Slava class missile cruiser, designed as a surface strike ship with some anti-air and ASW capability. The sixteen SS-N-12 Sandbox nuclear-capable supersonic anti-ship missiles are mounted in four pairs on either side of the superstructure, giving the ship a distinctive appearance.
NATO experts had dubbed Russian combat ships of this class "the killer of aircraft carriers," as they can launch 1,000 kg of high-explosives or a tactical nuclear warhead to a range of 300 nautical miles.
In April 2009, the Varyag led a group of 21 foreign naval vessels participating in a parade to mark the 60th anniversary of China's Navy off the coast of the eastern city of Qingdao.
Russia announced in 2007 that it was building up its naval presence across the world. Foreign port calls by Russian warships have become more frequent.
VLADIVOSTOK, June 26 (RIA Novosti)
