Top Russian Commander Visits Naval Academy

The U.S. Naval Academy was visited this week by the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, who toured museums at the Annapolis naval site to learn more about its history.

Admiral Viktor Chirkov began his visit at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, where he was hosted by Captain Henry J. Hendrix, director of the Navy's History and Heritage Command, according to a press release from the Navy. Chirkov was then led on a whirlwind tour of the museum's exhibits.

During a World War II exhibit, Chirkov, a former commander of an Udaloy-class anti-submarine destroyer, was particularly interested in reviewing the display on commercial shipping losses, as well as German submarine attrition rates, according to a press release from the Naval Academy.

Chirkov also toured the John Paul Jones Crypt and the U.S. Naval Academy Museum. 

Tim Disher, the U.S. Naval Academy's Director of International Programs, said the admiral was, "impressed and was quite inquisitive about the Rogers Ship Model Collection, the largest collection of 17th- and 18th-century ship models on public display in North America." 

For more information on the Navy History and Heritage Command's museums visit its official website.