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Ukraine’s only submarine leaves repair plant after 20 years of repairs

The Russian Black Sea Fleet rescue boat Kommuna will ensure security of the submarine in the testing period

SEVASTOPOL, March 20 (Itar-Tass) —— Ukraine’s only diesel-powered submarine, the Zaporozhye, departed from the Russian Black Sea Fleet 13th ship repairing plant for trials in the Sevastopol Bay on Tuesday, the Ukrainian Navy command said.

The sea trials will begin on April 17. The Russian Black Sea Fleet rescue boat Kommuna will ensure security of the submarine in the testing period.

The trials were planned initially for May 2011 but delayed because of submarine defects. The submarine was built in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) in 1970. It was a part of the Soviet North Fleet and then was attached to the Black Sea Fleet. The submarine was transferred to the Ukrainian Navy on August 1, 1997.

The submarine was taken to the ship repairing plant 20 years ago but the repairs were suspended due to the absence of funds.