"The Smolny has begun her departure [from the port of Saint-Nazaire] and is receiving a salute from other ships," Jean-Claude Blanchard said.
On Wednesday, the DCNS shipbuilding company confirmed reports that 400 Russian sailors would leave the port of Saint-Nazaire before the end of 2014.
On December 3, a high-ranking source in the Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport told RIA Novosti that the sailors would remain in Saint-Nazaire until the vessel was handed over to the Russian Navy.
Russia condemned France's failure to deliver on its contractual obligations, saying Paris would have to pay a large penalty if the deal was canceled.
On December 6, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow expected the Mistral contract to be implemented.
