Russian warship
© Yuri Smityuk/TASS ArchiveThe guided missile cruiser The Vargyag.
The guided missile cruiser The Vargyag, currently taking part in the joint Russian-Indian naval exercise Indra, will be dispatched to Syria, a source in the Russian contingent taking part in the exercise has told TASS in an interview.

"The guided missile cruiser The Varyag will leave India for Syria, where it will replace the guided missile cruiser The Moskva (project 1164 Atlant)," he said, adding that The Varyag's mission in the area would presumably last till September.

The naval exercise Indra began on December 7. It is scheduled to last till December 12. At the moment the preparatory phase of the exercise is nearing completion. The active phase in the Bay of Bengal is due on December 10-12. Anti-submarine operations will be practiced. Also, the crews will polish skills of freeing a ship seized by hypothetical terrorists. Helicopters will deliver assault groups on board.