The Russian Ambassador to Canada is paying a visit to the Crow’s Nest Officers’ Club in St. John’s later today to recognize the courage and heroism of Newfoundland veterans who served during the Murmansk Convoy Runs and a storied vessel familiar to many in this province.

Ambassador Oleg Stepanov is marking two significant connections between Newfoundland and Russia.

This is the 80th anniversary of the arrival of the first Arctic Convoy in Arkhangelsk, in August of 1941.

Newfoundlanders serving in the Royal Canadian Navy, the Merchant Navy and the Royal British Navy played a significant role in those convoys.

Meanwhile, 2022 marks the 80th anniversary of the sinking of a Russian hero ship with a long and significant history in Newfoundland.

The Bellaventure, which rescued survivors and picked up the victims of the Newfoundland Sealing Disaster in 1914, was sold to the Russian Imperial government in 1916 and renamed the Aleksandr Sibiryakov.

It was refitted with weapons in 1941 and was deployed to the Arctic Archipelago where it was sunk by a German cruiser.

Pieces of the ship, which was designated a Hero Vessel by the Russian government, were recovered in 2014, and are on display at the Naval Museum in Murmansk.

Ambassador Stepanov will pay a visit to the Crow’s Nest this evening from 5:30 to 7:30.

VOCM News will be there.