[Stonewall Jackson]

The Russian Admiral Kuznetzov and the American George H.W. Bush are both in the Eastern Med and Syria is threatening to boil over. Have American and Russian carriers ever been in close proximity during a crisis situation? The only possibility I can think of might be Kosovo. Do you know where the Kuznetzov was at the time?

[jpsb]

I don’t think the Russians operated carriers during the cold war. At least I don’t recall reading about any. Might have had one or two that they kept close to home or for training.

[Tommyjo]

The Russian Navy Commander in Chief just inspected the Kuznetsov Carrier Battle Group yesterday. Guess what? He didn't have to fly to the Mediterranean :)

Admiral Vysotsky to check N Fleet aircraft carrier group readiness

The whole dubious reporting of the Kuznetsov comes from the Cypriot Famagusta news agency. News agencies were also reporting the Kuznetsov Battle Group in the Med a month ago!. Kuznetsov was still with the Northern Fleet off Russia at the time.

People really need to take a step back and think about these incorrect news reports? When the Kuznetsov Carrier Battle Group actually deploys in December it will be reported in Norwegian media as NATO monitors its progress through areas of interest. The Russians Air Force strategic aviation bombers will also exercise with the Battle Group as it deploys either via the North Sea or Atlantic. These will also be monitored and intercepted by NATO assets. The Kuznetsov Battle Group conducts regular routine deployments and this one was annouced as far back as September 2011.