there is nothing British about the Irish city Belfast, after which this ship is named, the only thing connecting the British to Belfast is the British army's occupation of that city.

OK ... that is a taken critical and factual history, in light of Irish Republicanism and the still raging Irish Catholic and Protestant Union forces conflagration have both a connection to tragedy and Belfast. There is nothing American about the name USS Iwo Jima, but it exists and the US Navy and Army Air Force killed a heck lot more Japanese in WW2. Take it what it is for ... a refurb of a classic Brit ship done at little to NO major cost by a fellow WW2 Allied Shipyard at St. Pete that has the know-how to still do a refurb of that magnitude. That's it - I doubt anyone is trying to oppress the Belfast/NI Republicanism question here (I sure don't) ... I think it's a grand gesture on the part of the Russian Federation and UIC to the British Isles just in time for VE Day 65yrs and the planned Great Patriotic Day Celebrations.

Interesting comment 'jsmith' but what has it to do with the story? This is not reported by the BBC as far as I can see, I wonder why not?

It is a honor for Russia to take care of this ship..So many times this (and others ships) ship escord convoy over to Russia (Leningrad-St.Petersburg) to bring food to starving people. So many, Great Britain citizens die (under constant German fire) in their human duty to help...It is not about ship name or cost ,its about memory of those who fallen on this "mission impossible" saving others lifes liveing behind their love ones...This nice gesture from Russia is reminder that they did not forgot any of those who help them! Thanke you!