Sailors of Ukrainian landing ship Kirovograd will return to the ranks in 7-10 days

22.09.2010 According to LCol Yevgeny Pivovar, director of 386th Military Clinic, two out of four naval sailors from landing ship Kirovograd undergoing treatment will return to service in 7-10 days.

A meeting between commanding staff of Ukrainian Navy's surface ships brigade and crewmen of landing ship Kirovograd was held yesterday in 386th military hospital, Crimea.

Under the instruction of Ukrainian Navy Commander ADM Viktor Maksimov, brigade commander Capt 2 rank Roman Gladkiy thanked seamen from Kirovograd's rescue party Andrei Svisch and Bogdan Molinsky for decisive actions while extinguishing the fire occurred on board the ship during drills at Opuk range.

The brigade commander awarded the sailors with grateful letters on behalf of Ukrainian Navy Command. Capt 2 rank Roman Gladkiy added that Andrei Svisch and Bogdan Molinsky acquired meritorious promotion to the rank of senior seaman.

The sailors received numerous gifts and presents from colleagues.

Talking to their commander, the two crewmen of Kirovograd said they felt well and hoped to return back to the ship as soon as possible.

Unauthorized launch of two missiles occurred on board landing ship Kirovograd on Sept 17 during tactical exercise Cooperation 2010 as a result of short-circuit failure. This launch caused the explosion and fire outbreak inside the ship.

The fire was brought under control and extinguished by the crew. Four sailors from rescue party were injured. All of them underwent emergency medical treatment and were hospitalized.

At present, two seamen undergo medical treatment in military clinic of Sevastopol, Crimea. Other two sufferers are in Simferopol hospital.