MOSCOW, January 14. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian and Chinese combat ships interacted for the first time during a military operation to ensure security while Syrian chemical weapons are transported in the Mediterranean Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry’s press service reported on Tuesday.

“On January 7, the Pyotr Velikiy heavy missile cruiser in close cooperation with China’s missile frigate ‘Yancheng’ carried out a responsible task to accompany and ensure security of the Danish ship ‘Ark Futura’ with the first batch of chemical weapons,” the press service said.

“The task was carried out successfully,” the ministry said.

At present, the Pyotr Velikiy cruiser is at the assigned area of the Mediterranean Sea and it is ready to ensure security of chemical weapons transit, the ministry said.

“The Admiral Kuznetsov heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser, the Admiral Levchenko destroyer, the Olenegorsky Gornyak large amphibious assault ship and three vessels escort are planning to arrive in the Mediterranean Sea area in the near future. Ships are making a transit to the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea,” the ministry said.

On December 18-20 2013, 15 Il-76 military-transport aircraft made 38 flights to the Syrian airport of Latakia to give 75 pieces of equipment: 50 KamAZ trucks and 25 Ural armored vehicles.

“Trucks are used to transport Syrian chemical weapons to the port of Latakia where cargoes will be re-loaded to special vessels due to be transported to a special area and eliminated,” the ministry said.

Russia gave 20 tanks of water, 13 field kitchens and 52 Ust-56 military tents, the ministry added.