Sneak Peak: Russian Missile Cruiser Wows Foreign Press (PHOTO, VIDEO)

Foreign journalists had the chance to tour Russia's Moskva missile cruiser, which provides air defenses for the Russian mission in Syria, media reports said.

An array of foreign journalists stepped on board the Russian missile cruiser Moskva, which provides air cover for the Hmeymim air base in Syria, RIA Novosti reported on Friday.

Visiting the warship were correspondents from Sky News, CNN, AFP, Xinhua and several other major news networks, who were accompanied by Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov.

On board, the journalists were even able to have a meal at the vessel's dining room, where they were served with traditional 'fleet-style' macaroni. Many, including Sky News correspondent John Sparks, were overwhelmed with emotions.

The missile cruiser Moskva has reached the coast of Latakia to perform air defense in the area

© Photo : Russian Defense Ministry

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"I'm impressed and shocked about the transparency of everything that is happening," he said.

He was echoed by Boris Anzov of the Bulgarian holding Mediamost, who also appreciated the Russian Defense Ministry's move to allow the journalists to visit the warship.

The M-4 (Osa-M) air defense system on the missile cruiser Moskva, which has reached the coast of Latakia to perform air defense in the area

© Photo : Russian Defense Ministry

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"It is a great pleasure for us to visit the ship, given that we have inquired about it for a long time. It is much easier to work with the Russian military than with those from Western countries. You can discuss everything with the Russian military from the bottom of your heart," he said.

The Russian cruiser was based in the Mediterranean Sea as part of the Russian Navy's Mediterranean Fleet, and moved closer in to the Syrian coast on November 25. The cruiser is equipped with a Fort air defense system, which is the naval analogue of the S-300 in terms of capability.

In addition to 64 anti-air missiles, the 11,500-ton, 186-meter-long warship is armed with anti-ship missiles, anti-submarine mortars and torpedoes.

The Moskva cruiser can cover all of southern Turkey from Latakia, ensuring that Russian planes will be safe in the air following Ankara's downing of the Russian Su-24 bomber in Syria on November 24.