Russia's sole aircraft carrier deployed to Syria
The heavy aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, which is a part of the Northern fleet, has sailed to the Mediterranean Sea. Its participation in Russian operations in Syria from October this year to January 2017 was announced last July.
According to Interfax news agency, the aircraft carrier is escorted by MiG-29KR and MiG-29KUBR multi-purpose fighter jets, as well as the newer Su-33 aircraft. Ka-52K Katran helicopters, the naval version of the Ka-52 Alligator, were also prepared for the Admiral Kuznetsov.
It is expected that Admiral Kuznetsov will become a part of the permanent task force of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea.
In summer, a military-diplomatic source reported that the deck-based aircraft will strike at terrorist positions from the aircraft carrier located near the coast of Syria. On September 21st, information about sending the aircraft carrier to Syria was confirmed by the Russian Defense Minister, Sergey Shoygu.
The only heavy aircraft carrier in the Russian Navy,Admiral Kuznetsov, is designed to engage large surface targets and protect navy forces from attacks. Su-25UTG and Su-33 planes as well as Ka-27 and Ka-29 helicopters are based on the carrier during naval campaigns. The ship was named in honor of Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Nikolay Kuznetsov. The last time the carrier made a long voyage was in 2014, in the Mediterranean Sea.