Moscow: Russia on Thursday mocked Britain’s brand new HMS Elizabeth II aircraft carrier, saying it was above all a “convenient target” for Moscow’s forces. The Russian defence ministry described as “arrogant” comments by British defence minister Michael Fallon, who labelled Russia’s only aircraft carrier the Admiral Kuznetsov as “dilapidated” and said Moscow would look at the UK’s new vessel “with a little bit of envy”. “Unlike the Admiral Kuznetsov, which is equipped with anti-aircraft and anti-submarine missiles and especially Granit missiles to hit ships, the British aircraft carrier is nothing but a big, convenient target in the sea,” he added. It cost £3.0 billion (€3.4 billion, $3.8 billion) to build. The Soviet-era Admiral Kuznetsov was involved in Moscow’s air campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria but suffered several high-profile mishaps.

Source: Mint June 29, 2017 15:00 UTC