VLADIVOSTOK. Aug 17 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Pacific Fleet's military prosecutor's office has opened a criminal investigation into the disappearance of Seaman Degtyaryov from the Burny destroyer.
The case has been opened on AWOL charges, Deputy Prosecutor Roman Koblakov told Interfax on Wednesday.
Investigators are working aboard the ship, which has arrived at the Chinese port of Qingdao to take part in major Russian-Chinese exercises, called Peace Mission 2005.
A spokesman for the Russian exercise staff, Colonel Vyacheslav Sedov, told Interfax earlier that "the absence of Seaman Degtyaryov from the Burny was revealed while the ship was en route from Vladivostok to Qingdao on August 12."
Sedov denied reports that the sailor failed to return from leave upon the ship's arrival at Qingdao. "These reports are untrue. Seaman Degtyaryov, who was on his second year of service, went missing while the Burny destroyer was on her way to the Chinese port," Sedov said.
The principal phase of the exercises will take place in China from August 23-25. A total of 10,000 servicemen, including about 2,000 Russians, will be involved in the maneuvers.