Russia to establish naval bases in two new Russian cities: Defense Minister

Russia is planning to establish bases to support its fleet in two port cities in new Russian regions, defense minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday.

“The ports in Berdyansk and Mariupol are fully functioning. We plan to deploy there bases for support vessels, emergency rescue services and ship repair units of the navy,” Shoigu said in a report during a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the country’s top military officials.

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•  The Russian Defense Ministry plans to deploy support vessel stations, emergency services and ship repair units of the Navy in Berdyansk and Mariupol, Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Wednesday.

"Ports in Berdyansk and Mariupol are functioning in full scope at present. We plan to deploy in them support vessel stations, emergency and rescue services, and ship repair units of the Navy," the Minister said.

The Sea of Azov has again become the internal sea of Russia, "just as it was during three hundred years of the history of our country," Shoigu added.