TARTUS. Sept 26 (Interfax) - The Veliky Ustyug small missile ship armed with Kalibr cruise missiles has reinforced the Russian Navy taskforce in the Mediterranean Sea, commander of the operational command in the remote maritime zone Sergei Tronev said on Thursday.
"Today, the Veliky Ustyug small missile ship set off for the high seas after replenishing its stocks to build up a taskforce which is carrying out tasks in the East Mediterranean," Tronev told reporters, adding that another such ship, the Uglich, is in Tartus.
Two submarines, two naval ships, three combat boats, and three supply vessels of the Russian Navy are moored at the base, Tronev said.
"Yesterday, a submarine anchored which has been on a mission at sea over the past three weeks; its crewmembers are resting at the Tartus base. The second submarine is preparing to set off for the high seas after replenishing its stocks," he said.
The passage of ships and submarines from the Tartus base to oceanic areas in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans will take from seven to ten days, Tronev said.
"Ships of the operational taskforce are currently performing tasks off Turkey. In particular, the Marshal Ustinov missile cruiser is visiting the Akzas-Karagach naval base, while the Admiral Makarov frigate is carrying out tasks of an unofficial visit to Greek ports; the other forces are operating in the offshore area," he said.