MOSCOW, January 26 (RIA Novosti) - The guided missile
cruiser Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, has
conducted computer-simulated missile attack drills in the
Mediterranean, the fleet's spokesman said on Monday.
"The designated targets were a naval ship and coastal
facilities. All tasks set for the exercise have been
accomplished," the spokesman said.
Moskva is a Slava-class missile cruiser designed as a
surface strike ship with some anti-air and ASW capability.
The sixteen SS-N-12 Sandbox nuclear-capable supersonic
anti-ship missiles are mounted in four pairs on either side of
the superstructure, giving the ship a distinctive appearance.
The cruiser is on its way for an unofficial visit to the
port of Messina in Sicily on January 27-30. The visit is timed
to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Messina
earthquake and Russia's participation in international relief
efforts.
In addition to the Russian vessel, U.S., British, German,
Spanish and Danish warships will take part in events to mark
the anniversary.
The Messina earthquake had an estimated magnitude 7.5 on
the Richter scale and was followed by a tsunami that struck
many coastal cities with 40-foot (12-meter) waves, causing more
destruction. The earthquake and tsunami killed two-thirds of
the city's then-150,000 population.
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