Russia's ready to bring back cruiser Ukraina

23.04.2010 Russia is ready to buy incomplete battle cruiser from Ukraine, MP Mikhail Nenashev, member of defense committee said during teleconference "Moscow-Kiev".

"The well-known agreement recently signed by the presidents [Dmitry Medvedev and Viktor Yanukovich] in Kharkov as for prolongation of Black Sea Fleet deployment in Crimea, is primarily an economically sound for both countries… I mean new opportunities to cooperate in shipbuilding; and this implies not only repairs but joint building of ships… Example, a known cruiser [Ukraina] similar to missile cruisers Moskva or Ustinov is standing idle in Nikolayev 70% completed. Of course, this ship could be commissioned into Russia's Black Sea Fleet, we need such ships", said Russian MP.

Such agreements "evoke negotiations on this matter", pointed out Nenashev.

Meanwhile, the issue of French heli-carrier Mistral is still doubtful, said the official. "Speaking of Mistral, it is still unclear whether Russia's going to buy this ship", he said.

Recall that missile cruiser Ukraina is a warship of Ukrainian Navy. The cruiser was built at 61 Kommunara Shipyard in Nikolayev.

The cruiser was launched on Aug 11, 1990. On Oct 1, 1993 being 75% completed the ship was decommissioned from Russian Navy and passed into the ownership of Ukraine. In 1994 even the cruiser's crew was formed, although the ship was not completed due to lack of financing.