Pyotr Veliky, the Russian Northern Fleet’s (NF) nuclear-powered missile cruiser, took over the lead role of a task force in the Mediterranean from yesterday, according to RIA Novosti.
Officials report that the HQ’s was transferred to the ship from the Black Sea Fleet’s missile cruiser Moskva, which completed its mission in the Mediterranean on Sunday.
Petr Velikiy is a heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser (TARKR), the fourth Kirov class battlecruiser of the Russian Navy.
Although the ship is not a battlecruiser by the traditional definition of the type, but a missile cruiser, her size has given her the unofficial designation of a battlecruiser.
The Russian standing task force in the Mediterranean counts:
• Missile cruiser (Varyag) • Smetlivy Frigate • Several large amphibious landing ships • Two reconnaissance ships.
The presence of Russian ships in the Mediterranean Sea is to protect its interests in the region, as explained by Russian defense leaders.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, November 12, 2013