Russian Carrier Group Entered Atlantic

02.02.2012 Russian Navy's carrier group led by aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov has left the Mediterranean Sea and entered the Atlantic.

Russian naval force has been deployed since Dec 2011. Since that time, the carrier group has covered over 5,000 nautical miles in the Mediterranean.

Being deployed in the Mediterranean Sea, Russian deck-based pilots have carried out about 15 flight shifts, about 150 landings on the carrier's deck, over 20 mock air battles and nearly same number of target-interception drills.

Aircrews of deck-based helicopters Ka-27 also improved their flight skills and provided antisubmarine protection of the carrier group. In total, they have performed over 120 sorties including 40 in the nighttime.

Crews of Northern Fleet (NF) aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and large ASW ship Admiral Chabanenko, Baltic Fleet (BF) frigate Yaroslav Mudry and Black Sea Fleet (BSF) frigate Ladny have performed wide range of training tasks under common concept. There were dozens of antiaircraft and antisubmarine exercises, hundreds of shipborne drills, air defense and artillery firings.

Pilots of the task force will continue combat training in the Atlantic, including flights of Su-33 fighters and ship-based helicopters.

Deployment of the carrier group started on Dec 6, 2011 with departure of aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, large ASW ship Admiral Chabanenko and supply vessels from NF main base Severomorsk. Throughout the cruise, the task force has covered over 10,000 nautical miles.