SEVASTOPOL. Feb 17 (Interfax-AVN) - Project 1171 large landing ship (LLS) Saratov has completed a ten-month refurbishment and joined the Black Sea Fleet (BSF) permanent-readiness forces, BSF spokesman 1st Captain Vyacheslav Trukhachyov told Interfax-AVN on Monday.
"LLS Saratov, one of the force's oldest ships and the first one in the 14-unit series, has joined the permanent-readiness forces. The ship has already made a trial sortie to the sea and successfully undergone pre-journey checks, including those led by the Black Sea Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Alexander Vitko," Trukhachyov said.
LLS Saratov is due to join the Russian Navy's permanent naval task force as part of the forces' rotation in the very near future, he said.
LLS Saratov and LLS Yamal have already left Sevastopol and are expected to enter the Bosporus in the next few hours, the Navy General Headquarters said earlier.