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Russia sends aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean

The Northern Fleet aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" is on its way to the Mediterranean Sea (Photo: 333 Skvardronen)

Russia’s only aircraft carrier, the Northern Fleet’s “Admiral Kuznetsov” left its base outside Severomorsk and is sailing on a mission to the Atlantic and Mediterranean Seas.

Location

The carrier leads a vessel group that includes the destroyer “Admiral Levchenko” and the large amphibious assault ship “Olenegorsky Gornyak”.

The aim of the mission is to maintain Russian naval presence in important parts of the world’s oceans. The vessels will be conducting several drills and exercises, also in cooperation with vessels from other Russian fleets, the Ministry of Defense’s web site reads.

The vessel group from the Northern Fleet also includes the salvage tug “Nikolay Chiker” and the tankers “Sergey Osipov” and “Kama”.

“Admiral Kuznetsov” has been on similar campaigns to the Mediterranean, last time was in November 2011-February 2012. The vessel then made port calls in Lebanon and Syria.