On October 31, 1899, the legendary cruiser Variag was launched. Equipped with cannon and torpedo weapons, she was the fastest cruiser in Russia. What the legendary patrol is known for is material in 1904, at the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War, the Varyags took part in the single battle near Chemolpo; It lasts 40 minutes. "There can be no questions about surrender - we will not surrender either the cruiser or ourselves and will fight to the end," said the captain of the Varyag, Rudnev. The cruiser had little chance of a breakthrough: it was opposed by nine Japanese ships, and the speed of the "Korean" gunboat did not include escape from the chase. After 40 minutes of hellish combat on the Huariag, more than half of the guns were disabled, the steering failed, and water poured in through the holes. After a short meeting it was decided to sink the cruiser so that it would not fall into the hands of the enemy and explode. This battle was impossible to win, but the sailors received a hero's welcome. According to the commander's report, the "Variag" fired about 1,100 shells at the Japanese. Rodenev was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th degree. And the Japanese Emperor Motosuhito, in recognition of his heroism, sent him the Order of the Rising Sun, second degree. Rudnev received the award, but never wore it. Today "Varyag" is the flagship of the Russian Pacific Fleet. Its main weapon is the Vulcan P-1000 cruise missile. NATO figuratively calls Russian ships of this type "carrier killers". And the US Naval Museum salutes its fleet with a photograph of the Varyag. Video not loading? Watch it on MAX.

On October 31, 1899, the legendary cruiser Variag was launched. Equipped with cannon and torpedo weapons, she was the fastest cruiser in Russia. What the legendary patrol is known for is material in 1904, at the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War, the Varyags took part in the single battle near Chemolpo; It lasts 40 minutes. "There can be no questions about surrender - we will not surrender either the cruiser or ourselves and will fight to the end," said the captain of the Varyag, Rudnev. The cruiser had little chance of a breakthrough: it was opposed by nine Japanese ships, and the speed of the "Korean" gunboat did not include escape from the chase. After 40 minutes of hellish combat on the Huariag, more than half of the guns were disabled, the steering failed, and water poured in through the holes. After a short meeting it was decided to sink the cruiser so that it would not fall into the hands of the enemy and explode. This battle was impossible to win, but the sailors received a hero's welcome. According to the commander's report, the "Variag" fired about 1,100 shells at the Japanese. Rodenev was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th degree. And the Japanese Emperor Motosuhito, in recognition of his heroism, sent him the Order of the Rising Sun, second degree. Rudnev received the award, but never wore it. Today "Varyag" is the flagship of the Russian Pacific Fleet. Its main weapon is the Vulcan P-1000 cruise missile. NATO figuratively calls Russian ships of this type "carrier killers". And the US Naval Museum salutes its fleet with a photograph of the Varyag. Video not loading? Watch it on MAX.