Black Sea Fleet Recon Ship Heads for Mediterranean

22.03.2012 Black Sea Fleet (BSF) middle-size reconnaissance ship Kildin left Sevastopol heading for the Mediterranean Sea, reported Black Sea Fleet HQ.

"Crew of recon ship Kildin led by Capt 2 rank Alexei Rumiantsev will shift special-purpose ship Ekvator deployed in the Mediterranean since the beginning of 2012", reports Interfax citing the BSF spokesman.

As was earlier reported, BSF seagoing replenishment tanker Iman headed by Capt 2 rank (retired) Shakir Dzhafarov is presently staying in Syrian port Tartus. The civilian crew is secured by guard unit. Iman had shifted BSF large seagoing tanker Ivan Bubnov.

Reconnaissance ship Kildin was built in 1970 in Poland. Max speed is 17 knots (31.5 kph); fuel range is 9,700 nautical miles at 11 knots.

The only armament on board the recon ship is MANPADS Igla. The crew consists of 85 men.