Russian navy sending flagship aircraft carrier to Syria

Russia is sending the flagship of its navy, the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, to join the battle against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Syria.

According to the TASS news agency, the ship will leave for the Mediterranean Sea in October and serve as a platform for carrying out airstrikes against the terrorists until at least February 2017.

Classified by Moscow as a heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser (TAVKR), she will carry 15 Sukhoi Su-33 fighter jets and Mikoyan MiG-29K/KUB fighters, and around 10 Kamov Ka-52K, Ka-27, and Ka-31 choppers.

“The Joint Staff has developed a program for carrier pilots to take part in delivering airstrikes on terrorist groups in Syria. It implies performing operational flights from the carrier against land targets,” said a source.

The source noted that the Admiral Kuznetsov will take the helm of Russia’s naval operations in Syria, where it will ensure sufficient operation range of its jet fighters.

After finishing its tour, it will return to the Sevmash shipyards in Severodvinsk in the north of Russia where it will receive extensive upgrading.

ME