6 May 2014 12:20

3 Black Sea Fleet ships join Russian Navy force in Mediterranean

ST. PETERSBURG. May 6 (Interfax-AVN) - The patrol ship Smetlivy and the large landing ships Saratov and Yamal have joined the Russian Navy's taskforce deployed in the Mediterranean Sea, the Navy Staff told Interfax-AVN on Tuesday.

"The patrol ship Smetlivy and the large landing ships Saratov and Yamal crossed the Black Sea straits and joined the Russian Navy force in the Mediterranean," the source said.

He said the ships had arrived in the course of the rotation of the Russian permanent inter-fleet force accomplishing missions in the region.

The Navy Staff representative recalled that the permanent unit's supervisory body - the operative command in the off-shore maritime zone - was formed a year ago, on May 1, 2013.