SEVASTOPOL. Oct 10 (Interfax-AVN) - The Yamal large- displacement landing craft in service with the Black Sea Fleet, sporting the banner of Rear Admiral Vladimir Vasyukov, commander of the surface ship division, is to leave for Greece on Saturday, the Black Sea Fleet press-service told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday.
The official visit will start with the island of Corfu (Kerkira) and is timed with the commemoration day, devoted to famous Russian Admiral Fedor Ushakov, who led Russian sailors to attack in 1799, aimed at liberating this island from foreign invaders.
On October 16-22, the Greek islands of Corfu and Spetsos will host the Russian-Greek forum, called "My Homeland". The sponsors of the forum say that the event is aimed at reminding the Russians and the Greeks of the common history of their countries, as well as promoting friendship and mutual sympathy between the two people, boosting interstate and business relations, and developing political and military cooperation between the two states."
A monument to Count Alexey Orlov, who commanded the Russian squadron, which destroyed the Turkish fleet at the Chesma Bay in 1770, is to be officially opened on the island of Spetsos within the framework of the forum.
The Yamal landing craft's visit to the Mediterranean also envisions paying friendly visits to the Greek island of Siros, as well as such seaports as Pilos and Pirey. In Pilos the Russian ship will participate in a festival of Russian, British, and French vessels in commemoration of the victory, scored by navies of the three countries in the Battle of Navarin over the Turkish- Egyptian fleet on October 8, 1827.
The Yamal landing craft (Project 775, NATO codename Ropucha) was built in Poland in 1987. The landing craft is designed to load, quarter, and disembark marine assault parties. The ship is armed with a missile system, and two self-defense artillery systems, and is capable of placing underwater mines.
In June 2003 the landing craft participated in a business visit to Egypt's Port Said as part of a group of Black Sea Fleet ships, returning to Sevastopol after exercises in the Indian Ocean. Captain Igor Gavrish is current commander of the large- displacement landing craft.