Russia patrols the Syrian coast in the Mediterranean Sea, RIA Novosti reports.
The number of US, French, British and other foreign vessels has increased dramatically since February 2011. The “Smetlivy” frigate of the Russian Black Sea Fleet is patrolling. It will soon be replaced by a different vessel. It could be “Pytlivy” or a marine ship.
The Mediterranean Sea is part of the Black Sea Fleet’s responsibility zones. There used to be up to 50 warships in the area during Soviet times. A Russian naval group with “Admiral Kuznetsov” carrier as flagship left the area in February 2012 for Severomorsk after two months of training.
Russia’s “Kildin” scout ship is in the Mediterranean. “Iman” tanker and a repair vessel PM-138 are in Port Tartus.
Captain First Rank Vyacheslav Trukhachev of the Black Sea Fleet said that “Smetlivy” was built in 1969. It has water displacement of 4390 tons, max speed of 34 knots, coverage of 3500 miles, crew of 266 people. It has Uran cruise missiles, Volna missile launch sites, a 76.2 mm artillery cannon, RBU-6000 bomb cannon, 533 mm torpedo launchers.
