SEVASTOPOL. Aug 7 (Interfax-AVN) - The Samum air-cushion missile craft together with the Bora sister ship are powerful strike missile force of the Black Sea Fleet, the fleet's commander Admiral Vladimir Komoyedov told Interfax-Military News Agency on Wednesday.
"The Black Sea Fleet should be able not only to protect itself but effectively attack as well," Komoyedov said. He stressed that the Samum does not have nuclear armament. Its relocation to Sevastopol does not violate the Ukrainian non- nuclear status. The statement was confirmed by the Ukrainian party after a recent visit to the vessel made by Navy Chief-of- Staff Admiral Viktor Kravchenko and Ukrainian Navy Commander Mykhailo Yezhel.
Komoyedov tasked the missile craft to put the vessel on the highest combat readiness level in the near future. He ordered to immediately pay to the ship's personnel salaries taking into account its recent increase as well as to pay all additional bonuses soon. Komoyedov will personally control the Samum personnel number.
Professional skills of the Samum personnel on the Bora ship will be checked in the course of the September training voyage of the Black Sea Fleet's vessels and forces.
In July the Samum sailed from the town of Baltijsk to Sevastopol and was included in the Black Sea Fleet.