Defense ministry will replace Avrora crew with civilians

09.11.2010 Russian defense ministry decided to replace military crewmembers of cruiser Avrora with civilian specialists of Central Naval Museum, the ministry's press service reported on Monday.

"Nonetheless, cruiser Avrora remains the object of cultural heritage and reserves the status of Russian Navy's No. 1 ship", underlined the authority.

It was previously reported that some persons were selling tickets to a New Year Party allegedly to be held on board Avrora. However, Russian defense ministry refutes this information.

The ministry reminds that the decision to turn legendary cruiser Avrora into the branch of Central Naval Museum was made by Soviet Navy command in 1956. The ship has been a governmentally protected memorial since 1960.

"On the other hand, up to the present time the ship has been maintained, operated, and guarded by military servicemen", said the press release.

"Navy command decided to bring strength and categories of the cruiser's staff to conformity with current status of the museum showpiece", informs defense ministry.

With this in mind, "it was decided to replace military crewmen with civilian staff consisting of qualified specialists of the Central Naval Museum", explains the authority.