Russia's Moskva cruiser calls at Sri Lanka's Colombo.

13/8 Tass 109

SEVASTOPOL, August 13 (Itar-Tass) - The flagship of the Russian Black
Sea Fleet, the Moskva guided-missile cruiser, has called at the port of
Colombo, Sri Lanka, a spokesman for the Black Sea Fleet told Itar-Tass on
Friday.
According to Rank I Captain Vyacheslav Trukhachev, the ship will stay
in Sri Lanka till August 15 to replenish water and food supplies.
"During the past several days, the ship's crew conducted a number of
exercises to drill life support and air defence skills," he said. "Daily
classes are organized for students of Russian naval schools, who are
undertaking practical training onboard the ship."
The ship's aircraft group has made about 20 helicopter takeoffs and
landings on the ship's deck to train sea search and rescue skills.
The Moskva cruiser started its voyage in early April. It took part in
military drill jointly with ships of Russia's Northern, Baltic and Pacific
Fleets. The Moskva has called at ports of a number of countries in the
Indian and Pacific Oceans.
-0-ras/gor