Admiral Kuznetsov, 17-18 February 1996
In Malta for a 24-hour stop-over, the Admiral Kuznetsov formerly named Tbilisi, anchored outside Grand Harbour at its own request. HMS Illustrious was already berthed in Harbour, and thus space was at a premium. In any case, the high winds would have made it impossible to enter. Accompanied by the Besstrashny, the carrier carried a mix of Sukhoi 27K Flanker D fighters, Sukhoi 25UTG Frogfoot ground attack aircraft, Kamov Ka-27 Helix anti-submarine warfare and KA-29 Helix AEW helicopters.