Russian Navy Minesweeper Zakharin and Tug MB-304 transit Istanbul towards Med - 07/11/2021

Russian Navy Black Sea Fleet 184th Novorossiysk Coastal Defense Brigade 170th Minesweeper Division’s Project 02668 Natya Class Minesweeper Vice Admiral Zakharin 908, followed by Black Sea Fleet 145th Rescue Ship Squad 1st Group’s Project 745 Sorum class tug MB-304 towing 136th Anti-Saboteur Squad’s Project 21980 Grachonok Class Anti-Sabotage Boat Kadet 840 have transited Istanbul strait this morning, November 7, 2021, towards Mediterranean. During the strait passage, the Vice-Admiral Zakharyin is seen hoisting the maritime signal flags India (I) & Echo (E) to indicate course alterations, and, in accordance with Article 10 of Turkish Straits Maritime traffic regulation, signal flag Tango (T) to indicate transit passage without stop through Turkish straits. The Tango (T) signal flag also has a navy-specific meaning of “Do not pass ahead of me.“