Russia's only aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov , is nearing the end of a work-up period outside the port of Murmansk before heading for the eastern Mediterranean, reportedly to begin air operations against targets in Syria.
The first combat deployment of Kuznetsov was announced by Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu on 21 September, when he said the 55,000-ton carrier would be escorted by six warships and three or four support vessels.
UK naval sources say they expect Kuznetsov's departure to be "imminent".
"We and our NATO allies have been watching her work-up closely and we think they have got her pilots qualified and safe to fly off the ship," a senior naval officer told IHS Jane's on 13 October, adding, "She has been going in and out of port over the past week or so to get everyone spun up. That seems to be done now."
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