HMS SOUTHAMPTON changed plans for her visit to Russia this week - as an act of respect for the victims of the Moscow theatre siege.
The city's adopted warship sailed into the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk on Monday with her flag at half-mast to pay tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack, which ended with the deaths of 116 hostages.
Her crew then delayed a reception for local dignitaries by 24 hours because it clashed with a national day of mourning for the victims, killed by a powerful opiate gas meant to knock out their captors.
HMS Southampton is visiting Russia as part of a goodwill tour of the Black Sea.
The Type-42 destroyer, which was built in Woolston by Vosper Thornycroft, is now set to sail to Romania and Bulgaria, before returning to Portsmouth at the beginning of December.
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