Not many from the present generation might know of the Russian Navy Ship, Zhemchug (Pearl) which sank in the Battle of Penang during World War 1.
The incident which took place on Oct 28, 1914 saw the loss of Russian 88 sailors when they were attacked by the German cruiser SMS Emden.
A total of 12 Russian sailors are buried on Pulau Jerejak and Penang Island. The young men lost their lives far from the homeland must be honoured.
The monument honouring the sailors of Zhemchug was twice renovated by Soviet sailors in 1972 and 1987 respectively.
A memorial service is held every year to mark the incident and honour the lives lost.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, a smaller ceremony was held where the Embassy of the Russian Federation was represented by the Deputy Head of Mission, Stanislav Krans, First Secretary & Consul, Pavel Seskanov and Dmitry Agafonov, the Assistant Military Attache.
Also present was the Honorary Consul of the Consulate of the Russian Federation in Penang, Teoh Seng Lee.
There is also a smaller monument on Pulau Jerejak where two Russian sailors were buried.
