MOSCOW, April 22. /TASS/. Repairing with simultaneous modernization of the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier is due to begin in September at a plant near Murmansk, and the cost will make almost 40 billion rubles (about $700 million), a source in defense industry told TASS on Saturday.

"In September, Zvezdochka will sign with the fleet a contract for the second stage of the repairing with modernization of the Admiral Kuznetsov," the source said. "The deal's cost is agreed now - it is almost 40 billion rubles. The work will begin in that month at the 35th shipyard in Roslyakovo near Murmansk."

The works are planned to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2020, the source added. "Thus, the works will take full three years plus another two-three months," the source said.

During the modernization, all the electric-mechanical part will be repaired.

"The work will also include modernization of the runway complex to guarantee safety of takes off and landing," the source said.

TASS does not have official confirmation of this information.

In 2016, during a voyage to the Mediterranean Sea, the aircraft carrier participated in an operation of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria. Between November and December, the pilots made 420 flights (including 117 at night), destroying more than 1,000 facilities of the terrorists there.