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Russian Northern Fleet rejects reports of sending aircraft carrier to Syria

The Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier will perform planned missions in the Barents Sea
The Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier  ITAR-TASS/Lev Fedoseyev
The Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier
© ITAR-TASS/Lev Fedoseyev

MURMANSK, October 14. /TASS/. Russia’s heavy aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will perform planned missions in the Barents Sea in the near future, the Northern Fleet’s press office reported on Wednesday.

The Northern Fleet thus rejected some media reports that the aircraft carrier would be allegedly dispatched to Syria.

"No long march or some other combat and operational training measures are planned for the heavy aircraft carrier in the near future," the press office said.

Russia’s sole aircraft carrier is completing the stage of basic preparations for going to sea. The ship is currently staying at its moorage in Murmansk and its crew is carrying out planned combat training measures. Technical works aboard the aircraft carrier are actually over.

"The ship will shortly go to the Barents Sea to practice planned combat training missions and provide support for the flights of pilots from the shipborne fighter wing of the Northern Fleet’s naval aviation.

Russia launched its operation against gunmen of the Islamic State terrorist organization in Syria on September 30 at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad. The Russian aviation grouping comprises more than 50 aircraft. The Russian Navy is also involved in the effort.

Overnight to October 7, the Caspian Flotilla ships delivered a massive strike on the IS objectives in Syria, using Kalibr NK shipborne cruise missiles.