SEVASTOPOL. July 26 (Interfax-AVN) - The Samum air cushion vessel has arrived at its permanent stationing base in Sevastopol, an official of the Black Sea Fleet press service said on Friday.
"The ship made a voyage from Baltiysk to Sevastopol in accordance with basic agreements between Russia and Ukraine," the official told Interfax-Military News Agency. The Samum is the second air cushion vessel in the Black Sea Fleet inventory, he said.
Russian Navy Chief-of-Staff Admiral Viktor Kravchenko, Black Sea Fleet Commander Admiral Vladimir Komoyedov and Ukrainian Navy Commander Mykhaylo Yezhel have visited a surface ship unit that was reinforced by the Samum.
"In accordance with instructions of the Russian and Ukrainian presidents the Ukrainian Navy commander and I have examined the ship and we can say that there are no nuclear weapons aboard," Kravchenko told reporters.
"Despite the complicated economic situation, Russia still cares about the Black Sea Fleet," the admiral stressed. "Vessels will be built and commissioned by the fleet," he added.
Yezhel said he was satisfied with the addition of an up-to- date ship to the Black Sea Fleet.
He confirmed that the Samum's arrival in Sevastopol did not violate Ukraine's nuclear-free status, for the vessel does not carry nuclear weapons.
"We have implemented all instructions of our presidents," Yezhel said.