Russian task force led by Black Sea Fleet's corvette Ladny after transfer of Arctic Sea to Maltese authorities on Friday morning replenished supplies and set a course for its bases, said Russian high-ranking military official to RIA Novosti.
"RNS Ladny was refueled at night Oct 30; then the task force headed for Black Sea Fleet's basing port – Sevastopol at 7.00 am, Moscow time", said the interviewee.
Tanker Iman is carrying material evidence received during investigations at Arctic Sea cargo ship, added the official.
"According to the plan, the tanker escorted by RNS Ladny is to sail into Russian territorial waters and call at Novorossiysk port. Then Ladny will return to its base - Sevastopol", said the source.
The Arctic Sea epopee lasted over three months has been finished on Oct 29 – the vessel unwanted in any port had finally arrived at La Valetta and last Russian sailors remained on board soon will be returned home.
The inspection had revealed no illegal cargo aboard the ship and after repair it will continue its cruise interrupted as early as late July, said owner of Finnish operator Solchart.
Four Russian sailors who had been staying aboard for over two months will return home by transit flight as long as all necessary formalities with shift crew are settled, said Viktor Matveev, the head of the Finnish company to RIA Novosti in Thursday phone talk. According to him, all four are in good physical and morale condition.