The advanced Project 23900 versatile amphibious assault ship (LHD) Mitrofan Moskalenko will become the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, a source in the defense industry told TASS.

The "Ivan Rogov" and the "Mitrofan Moskalenko", the first Russian LHD / amphibious assault ships of project 23900 will be able to operate as floating headquarters or command ships.

Russian President Vladimir Putin participated in the keel laying ceremony of several vessels for the Russian Navy, including the next generation Project 23900 amphibious assault ships. The ceremony took place on 20 July at Zaliv Shipyard in Kerch for the LHD (and remotely for the other vessels).

According to TASS news agency, the Russian Ministry of Defense signed a contract with the Zaliv shipyard in Kerch for the construction of the first two Russian universal landing ships (UDC) or LHD for a total amount of about 100 billion rubles on May 22, 2020. This was reported to TASS by a defense industry source.