Skip to main content
France - Russia

Russian Mistral sailors head home from France

Some 400 Russian sailors training to operate the Mistral-class warship left France for home on Thursday, with still no official decision in Paris over whether to deliver the vessel to Russia.

The Mistral-class helicopter-carrier Vladivostok, Saint-Nazaire shipyard, 4 Sept. 2014.
The Mistral-class helicopter-carrier Vladivostok, Saint-Nazaire shipyard, 4 Sept. 2014. Reuters/Stephane Mahe
Advertising

In blue uniform and matching berets, the sailors boarded the training ship Smolny, which will take them home from the western French port of Saint-Nazaire.

Last month, French President Francois Hollande postponed "until further notice" the delivery of the first of the two warships.

The first assault ship - which can carry 16 helicopters, four landing crafts, 13 tanks, 450 soldiers and a hospital - was supposed to be delivered in November, according to the original deal signed in 2011.

But as the crisis in Ukraine deepened amid accusations of Russian meddling in the east of the country, France was pressured by its allies to delay the delivery of the warships.

Hollande faces a serious dilemma over the Mistrals as France could be liable for hefty fines if it breaches the 1.2-billion-euro contract.

However, if Hollande decides to go ahead with the delivery France could annoy its allies around the world.

 

 

 

Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning

Keep up to date with international news by downloading the RFI app

Share :
Page not found

The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.