DHAKA: The Nastoichivy destroyer of the Russian Baltic Fleet and the Smetlivy escort ship of the Black Sea Fleet will join the Russian naval unit in the Mediterranean within the next few days.

Said a Russian Navy Main Staff source, reports The Voice of Russia.

‘The Smetlivy escort ship will start its combat mission in the Mediterranean according to the operational command’s plans within the next few days. There are plans that the Nastoichivy destroyer, the Baltic Fleet flagship, should join our ships as well,’ the source said.

The Smetlivy has a water displacement of 4,460 tonnes and is armed with the Kh-35 Uran anti-ship missiles, the AK-726 artillery system, the Volna anti-aircraft missile system (16 missiles), a 533-mm torpedo launcher (5 torpedoes), and two RBU-100 launchers.

According to the Russian defence ministry information, the Neustrashimy escort vessel and the Alexander Shabalin, Admiral Nevelskoi, and Peresvet landing ships are currently performing their missions in line with the operational headquarters’ plans.

The Novocherkassk and Minsk landing ships belonging to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet and Baltic Fleet should join the group on September 5-6.

The SSV-21 Priazovye medium reconnaissance vessel, which left the port of Sevastopol on September 1, is performing a special General Staff mission.

BDST: 1926 HRS, SEPT 04, 2013
RoR/SRS