The Russian Navy will launch its newest and most sophisticated spy ship, the Ivan Khurs, on May 16 from the Northern Shipyard in St. Petersburg in northwest Russia.

Ivan Kurs is the second of five "new type" Yuriy Ivanov-class (Project 18280) intelligence collection ships. The lead ship in this class, the Yuriy Ivanov, was commissioned into the Navy in July 2015 and is now assigned to the Northern Fleet responsible for the defense of northwestern Russia. Fleet headquarters is at Severomorsk.

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Both these signals intelligence (SIGINT) spy ships eavesdrop on NATO and U.S. military communications. The Russians officially refer to both ships as "communications ships" to conceal their espionage functions.

Both are designed for command, control, communications and electronic intelligence. Each has a displacement of about 4,000 tons; a speed of 20 knots and a cruising range of 8,000 miles. Each ship is manned by 120 crew, including intelligence specialists and analysts.

"Traditionally, the vessel is put afloat when it is more than 80% ready. The ship will be floated out on May 16 on the eve of Day of the Baltic Fleet," said a statement from Russian state-controlled media.

 The ship Ivan Khurs will start undergoing dock trials in late May."

Baltic Fleet Day, which will be celebrated May 18, commemorates the establishment of the Baltic Fleet by Tsar Peter the Great on May 18, 1703. The Baltic Fleet is the oldest Russian Navy formation.

Ivan Khurs will be delivered to the navy before year end. Shipbuilders will soon complete preparations prior to floating out the spy ship. The work will involve painting the ship's hull; equipping the ship with a propeller-rudder system; laying a main cable and setting-up all main life support systems.

The ship IS named after Vice Admiral Ivan Khurs, who had made outstanding contributions to organizing and developing the Russian Navy's intelligence service.