The Mirazh small missile-carrying ship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet left for the Mediterranean, where it will join Russia’s permanent naval task force. The ship is armed with Malakhit anti-ship cruise missiles, the Osa-M air defense missile system and artillery pieces. On October 5, two other small missile ships, Serpukhov and Zelyony Dol armed with Kalibr cruise missiles left Sevastopol to join Russia’s Mediterranean grouping. Serpukhov and Zelyony Dol took part in Russia’s anti-terror operation in Syria in mid-August. They fired three Kalibr cruise missiles against Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization (outlawed in Russia). Earlier, Russia's Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu announced that Russia’s heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov is set to join the naval task force in the Mediterranean too.
Several combat ships of the Russian Navy were involved in the anti-terrorism operation in Syria. Guided missile cruiser Moskva was the flagship of Russia's action group in Syria. It was later replaced with Varyag cruiser. According to military-diplomatic source, the group then was reinforced with anti-submarine destroyer Vice-Admiral Kulakov. Starting the October 2015 ships of the Caspian Fleet were also involved in the operation in Syria. Surface action group of the Caspian Fleet comprised the Dagestan missile carrier ship and the Uglich, Grad Sviyazhsk and Veliky Ustyug small-size missile ships. The ships were tasked with protecting cargoes and ensuring air defense. Russian Navy ships fighting against Islamic State in Syria - in this photo gallery by TASS.