Russian Navy’s carrier group consisting of aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov , large ASW ship Admiral Chabanenko , frigate Ladny , rescue tug Nikolai Chiker , and tanker Lena on Jan 10 had completed formal call at Syrian port Tartus where Russian Navy’s technical maintenance center is located.
Having replenished supplies, ships of the Russian carrier group left Syrian territorial waters and proceeded with tasks of the long-range cruise. It is planned that in the nearest time pilots of Admiral Kuznetsov ‘s air wing would continue training flights in assigned zones of the Mediterranean Sea.
The interfleet task force started deployment on Dec 6 and carried out a number of training flights, air defense and antisubmarine drills, having met the New Year in the Mediterranean Sea.
Warships and supply vessels of Northern, Baltic, and Black Sea fleets take part in the deployment. It is held under the flag of Northern Fleet Deputy Commander Vice Admiral Alexander Vitko .
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , January 12, 2012