Istanbul is the gateway to the Black Sea and the Crimea bases for the Russian Navy. As such, Istanbul need not be mentioned as a port visit as the ships sail right past the city's center.
Forgot about that website...thanks!! I am not really sure where she is based. Crimea or Murmansk? It looks like she comes from Murmansk and will make a big circle through the Med. But Valetta (and maybe France) would also be ideal places to catch this vessel!
The last message concernig the deployment in which portvisits were mentioned dates back to december 6th 2011.
Russian Aircraft carrier on its way south
2011-12-06
During the mission, which is planned to take several months, the aircraft carrier will take part in exercises together with units from the Baltic and Black Sea fleets. “Admiral Kuznetsov” will visit the Russian naval base of Tartus in Syria, Beirut, Genoa and Cyprus.
The vessel group also consists of the destroyer “Admiral Chabanenko”, the support vessel “Nikolay Chiker” and the tanker “Sergey Osipov”.
Carrying out long-range cruise in the Mediterranean Sea, BSF frigate Ladny pays the last formal call at Spanish port of Ceuta en route to rendezvous point with Russian Navy's task force. Earlier on, Ladny called at ports of Malta and France. Basically, the visit's purpose is replenishment of fuel and water supplies as well as crew rest. During the visit, the cruise command will visit city and military authorities of Ceuta.
Visit of frigate Ladny to the Spanish port will finish on Dec 23. As is expected, tomorrow the ship would join the task force of Northern and Baltic fleets led by aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov.
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