Russia’s aircraft carrier blue-water operations in the western Mediterranean Sea.
The Russian naval battle group including the flagship aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov is currently in the western Mediterranean Sea heading towards the eastern Med, off Syria’s coast.
The naval group, that has been closely followed and watched by NATO aircraft and warships since departure and subsequent transit through the English Channel then off Portugal and Spain, includes the Pyotr Veliky missile cruiser and, reportedly, three submarines armed with cruise missiles (two Akula-class submarines and a diesel-powered Kilo-class sub).
Mig-29K and Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker-D all-weather carrier-based air defence fighter jets can be seen taking off and landing from the ski-jump of the “heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser” Kuznetsov.
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According to defense expert Giuliano Ranieri the Sukhoi Su-33 (Flanker-D) jets belong to the 279th Shipborne Fighter Regiment (1st and 2nd Squadron) whereas the Mig 29K/KUB aircraft probably belong to the 100th Shipborne Fighter Aviation Regiment.
The Ka-52K and Ka-27 are also embarked.
