Record number of Russian war ships sailing
At the moment, 13 vessels from the Russian Navy are operating on different oceans around the world. This is the highest number since the fall of the Soviet Union.
The Russian newspaper Kommersant reports that when Russia recently sent a vessel group from the Pacific Fleet to the Indian Ocean, the number of Russian war ships on the world’s oceans reached the highest number since the fall of the Soviet Union.
In the group from the Pacific Ocean are the anti-submarine ship “Admiral Vinogradov”, the salvage tug “Fotiy Krylov” and the tankers “Pechenga” and “Boris Butoma”. This group will take part in the Russian-Indian naval manoeuvres “Indra-2009” in January.
A Russian naval task force from the Northern Fleet led by the aircraft carrier “Admiral Kuznetsov” is on a tour of duty in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. The task force also includes the missile destroyer “Admiral Levchenko” and two support ships. During the current tour, which will last for several months, the Russian warships will accomplish a number of assigned tasks, including joint drills with Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, as well visits to several ports in the Mediterranean.
A vessel group consisting of The Northern Fleet’s flagship, the nuclear-powered missile cruiser “Pyotr Veliky” (Peter the Great), the anti-submarine ship “Admiral Chabanenko” and support vessels, have recently taken part in joint drills with the Venezuelan Navy and are now operating in the Caribbean Sea.
The frigate “Neustrashimiy” of the Baltic Fleet is operating outside the Horn of Africa on protecting ships against Somalian pirates.
A source in the Russian navy told Kommersant that the present high level of activity was planned last year.
- In 2007, when Russia was at the height of its oil power, money for naval operations was easy to find. These contributions are now being realized, regardless of the financial crisis, the source said.
See video from “Admiral Chabanenko” here
