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Ships of Russian Caspian Fleet to enter Baku

Politics Materials 3 September 2009 14:23 (UTC +04:00)

Leading ships of the Caspian Fleet of the Russian Federation, the missile ship "Tatarstan" and the hydrographic vessel "Anatoly Guzhvin", are preparing for an unofficial visit to the port of Baku.

The fleet's ships are being prepared to enter the central and southern part of the Caspian Sea to carry out military service tasks.

The missile ship 'Tatarstan' and hydrographic vessel "Anatoly Guzhvin" are planning a practical entry into the port of Baku within their sea expedition, a source close to the Caspian Fleet's staff told ITAR-TASS.

The Caspian Fleet's small artillery ship, "Astrakhan", had planned to enter the Turkmen port of Turkmenbashi in June. However, it did not leave port due to causes within the fleet.

The Russian ships' visit to Baku had been postponed earlier too. The Caspian Fleet warships had been ordered to enter Baku in July 2009. The Commander of the Caspian Fleet of the Russian Federation, Vice-Admiral Viktor Kravchuk, and his deputy, Rear Admiral Vladimir Vdovenko, are likely to head the trip.

The Azerbaijani Navy includes a brigade of surface ships, composed of battalions of ships protecting the water area, small landing ships, basic and raid trawlers and rescue and training ships.

There is a separate unit of additional vessels. Almost all the ships are based in Baku. The Navy consists of a battalion of the Navy Marine Corps and Marine Underwater Exploration Special Center, which are armed with small "Triton" submarines.

The Azerbaijani Navy consists of approximately 2,500 people.

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense has neither confirmed nor denied this information yet.

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