Units of the Russian and British Navies coincidentally were in Grand Harbour at the same time this morning.
The Russian Navy units, which arrived yesterday, were the destroyer
Severomorsk and the naval tug Altay, which berthed at Valletta Waterfront.
The Royal Navy unit was the more modern frigate HMS Northumberland, which is due to leave Malta later today.
The Severomorsk is part of the Udaloy I Class of destroyers built between 1980 and 1991. Their main purpose is anti-submarine warfare. It recently participated in a joint anti-piracy exercise with Nato.
HMS Northumberland, part of the Type 23 class, joined the Royal Navy in 1994. Its primary purpose is also anti-submarine warfare but it also carries missiles for the ship-to ship and ship-to-shore role.