MURMANSK, May 8 (RIA Novosti) – A group of warships from Russia’s Northern Fleet led by the aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov entered the English Channel Thursday, the head of the Western Military District’s press service for the Northern Fleet told RIA Novosti.
According to Captain of the 1st Class Vadim Serga, the group will soon pass into the North Sea, before proceeding into the northeast Atlantic.
“During the transition through the English Channel the Russian ships will hold celebrations dedicated to the 69th anniversary of Victory Day,” Serga said.
While passing through the Atlantic, the crews of the Admiral Kuznetsov and the heavy nuclear guided-missile cruiser Petr Velikiy will carry out joint training exercises with naval aviators, a difficult task due to the strong cyclonic activity typical in northern latitudes.
In the waters of the North Atlantic, the crews of the Northern Fleet warships will perform complex combat training and air defense exercises.
The Petr Velikiy spent more than six months in the Mediterranean Sea. The crew took part in 13 operations ensuring the safety of the transportation of Syrian chemical weapons.
The Admiral Kuznetsov stayed in the Mediterranean Sea for more than three and a half months. During their time at sea, aviators gained considerable experience in operating from an aircraft carrier.
The Northern Fleet ships are expected to arrive at their home ports by the end of May.
