Russian fleet feels comfortable in Sevastopol – VADM Korolev

16.05.2011 Black Sea Fleet (BSF) feels comfortable in Sevastopol land, said BSF Commander Vice Admiral Vladimir Korolev appearing at solemn ceremony near the monument to Catherine the Great associated with 228th anniversary of Black Sea Fleet.

According to him, the fleet has mutual understanding and constructively co-operates with Sevastopol city authorities.

Afterwards, Korolev said to reporters: "Time after the Kharkov agreements is a special period in the history and life of Black Sea Fleet and Ukrainian Navy. We're preparing for serious exercise Fairway of Peace-2011. Almost all planning conferences are completed, so direct preparation is in progress. The exercise will be held in the third decade of May".

The admiral called the coming exercise a "good practice of cooperation and comradeship-in-arms between mariners of two fraternal countries – Russia and Ukraine".

Recall that one year ago, on Apr 27, 2010 the Kharkov agreements were signed providing that Ukraine prolonged presence of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea till 2042 in exchange for 30% discount on Russian natural gas.