Russian warships make Soviet-era display of might off coast of Syria

Navy publicises presence of destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov and the flagship Varyag missile cruiser in eastern Mediterranean

The view from the deck of the Russian navy destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov, on patrol in the eastern Mediterranean near Syria on Thursday. Photograph: Vladimir Isachenkov/AP

Russian has paraded it naval might in the Mediterranean, inviting reporters aboard a destroyer cruising off Syria’s coast in scenes reminiscent of the Soviet era.

The military demonstrated its global presence on Thursday by bringing Moscow-based journalists aboard the Vice Admiral Kulakov destroyer, which sailed alongside the flagship of the Russian naval group, the Varyag missile cruiser.

By establishing a long-term presence in the eastern Mediterranean, the Russian military has revived a Soviet-era capability to project naval power far from its borders.

The display of Russia’s military operations came before planned peace talksbetween the Syrian government and opposition next week in Geneva, which are meant to pave the way for a political settlement for Syria. Since Russia launched its bombing campaign in Syria on 30 September, its warplanes have flown more than 5,700 missions in support of Syrian government troops.

The warships, accompanied by support vessels, have rotated on duty off Syria’s shores, reviving a Soviet-era practice when warships maintained a permanent vigil in the Mediterranean.

The Varyag has sailed from its Pacific port, while the Vice Admiral Kulakov has come from the Russian base of Severomorsk on the Kola Peninsula.

The bigger cruiser Varyag carries long-range anti-ship missiles and powerful air defence systems used to help protect the Russian air base and the warplanes operating from it.

The destroyer is armed with an array of anti-ship cruise missiles, torpedoes and anti-aircraft weapons, but its main mission is hunting enemy submarines.

The Vice Admiral Kulakov’s main role is to track foreign submarines. Photograph: Vladimir Isachenkov/AP

“My ship is in eastern Mediterranean to protect and defend other ships and cargo vessels and to provide search and rescue at sea if necessary,” said Captain 1st Grade Stanislav Varik, the commander of the destroyer.

He emphasised that his ship was optimised for engaging submarines, and added that his crew had successfully tracked several foreign submarines during its stint in the eastern Mediterranean.

“There are submarines belonging to several nations here, and we have spotted, identified their class and tracked some of them,” he said without offering further details.

 Captain Stanislav Varik, the commander of the Russian navy destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov, speaks to reporters. Photograph: Vladimir Isachenkov/AP

The Russian naval facility in the Syrian port of Tartus has served as the key supply and support point since Soviet times. It is now the only such facility outside the former Soviet Union.

Russian warships come here for refuelling and get other supplies, and some get minor maintenance there.

The Varyag, the flagship of the navy’s Pacific Fleet, has replaced its sister ship, the missile cruiser Moskva on a stint near Syria. The cruisers are equipped with long-range Fort air defence missiles, the navy equivalent of the famous S-300 Russian air defence systems.

Like the Moskva earlier, the Varyag has kept close to the shore to help protect Russian warplanes after Turkey downed a Russian jet in November.

(Source : theguardian.com)

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