The memorial cross is installed at the brotherly grave located on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Haslar in Gosport. Here lie the Russian sailors from Admiral Dmitry Senyavin's squadron who perished during their stay in Portsmouth in 1808-1809.

Admiral Senyavin's squadron found itself in a difficult situation due to the complicated relations between the Russian Empire and Great Britain during the Napoleonic Wars. Thanks to Senyavin's skillful negotiations with British Admiral Charles Cotton, it was possible to avoid capitulation and the surrender of Russian ships into British hands.