SEVASTOPOL. Oct 3 (Interfax-AVN) - The Azov large landing craft of the Russian Black Sea Fleet has left Sevastopol and headed for the Mediterranean Sea, the fleet's press service said on Monday.
During its long cruise, the ship crew will make an unofficial visit and several business calls on Greek ports, a press service official told Interfax-Military News Agency.
The business call on the port of Kerkira is timed to days of memory of Admiral Fyodor Ushakov, the official said. Under Ushakov's command, Russian sailors liberated the island of Corfu from foreign invaders in 1799. This event was among the most important ones in many years of the Greek people's national liberation war.
During the unofficial visit to the port of Pylos, the Russian crew will take part in celebrations of an anniversary of the Battle of Navarino. In this battle, an allied squadron won over the Turkish-Egyptian fleet during the Greek uprising of 1981-1829.
The Azov will also make business call on the port of Sitia on the island of Crete and on the port of Piraeus, where the sailors will render military honors to their compatriots buried on the Russian memorial cemetery.
While staying in ports, the Andreyevsky Flag ensemble and the Black Sea Fleet's orchestra are scheduled to play concerts.
Captain 1st Rank Valery Kulikov, commander of a landing craft unit, is appointed commander of the cruise, the official said.