Russia navy to have permanent fleet in Mediterranean

The Russian Navy will station a permanent task force in the Mediterranean Sea, Admiral Viktor Chirkov said.

“Up to five or six warships must be present in the Mediterranean Sea on a permanent basis,” Xinhua quoted Chirkov as telling a TV station run by the defence ministry.

He said the squadron would be made up of frigates, cruisers and support vessels, and would be under the command of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.

Earlier, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu also said the navy possessed the capabilities to form a workable squadron in the region.

He, however, did not give a timetable for the deployment, which would need to ensure logistics and maintenance of warships in the Mediterranean.