The former commander-in-chief of Russia's Black Sea Fleet and first deputy commander-in-chief of Russia's Navy, Igor Kasatonov, is in Malta on a one-week private visit.

Accompanied by Russian ambassador Sergey Zotov, Mr Kasatonov yesterday paid a visit to the Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa.

After touring the museum, Mr Kasatonov presented one of his five books and a memento to the director of museums Anthony Pace.

Mr Kasatonov was a prominent and highly respected figure in the Russian navy for several years.

The admiral had also made statements in the aftermath of the tragedy of the Russian submarine Kursk in 2001, where he stressed the need to introduce new rules, focusing on security precautions for ships and permanent combat readiness units.

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