You're reading: Russian warship heading for Mediterranean enters English Channel – Baltic Fleet

MOSCOW - The Russian Baltic Fleet said on May 25 that its large landing ship Korolev had entered the English Channel en route to the Mediterranean, where it will replace a similar ship in the course of a routine rotation of Russia's permanent naval force in that sea.

Before entering the Channel, “the combat squads charged with the safe control of the ship trained sailing in intensively navigated confined waters in various weather conditions,” the fleet’s press service told Interfax-AVN. “The crew also trained in-voyage damage control.”

The Korolev will pass on into the Atlantic and enter the Mediterranean through the Strait of Gibraltar.

The Korolev set off on its journey from the Baltic Fleet’s main base, the city of Baltiysk, on May 20. It will replace the large landing ship Alexander Shabalin, which has been part of the Russian permanent force in the Mediterranean since November last year.