OREANDA-NEWS. On 11 July 2008 was announced, that AN-124-100 freighter of Volga-Dnepr Airlines delivered two Mir-1 and Mir-2 deep-water vehicles and other research equipment from Kaliningrad to Ulan-Ude within the preparation activities for complex scientific expedition at Baikal.

The overall weight of equipment delivered equaled to 80 tons. The valuable equipment was loaded on-board at Chkalovsk military airport in Kaliningrad. First, Mir-1 and Mir-2 vehicles were accommodated in the cargo cabin by means of specially designed monorail. Second, an oceanographic vessel was loaded on-board, and all the other necessary research equipment went last. Despite all fears of scientists, the unique navigation system of underwater vehicles sustained the long-haul flight well.

The expedition is arranged by The Baikal Lake Preservation Foundation (Foundation's President is A.N. Chilingarov, Member of the State Duma of Russia, Hero of the Soviet Union, Hero of Russia, Correspondent Member of Russian Academy of Sciences; Foundation Sponsorship Board Chairman is М.V. Slipenchuk, Metropol Group President). The unprecedented submersion of vehicles to the lakebed is scheduled for late July. The research activities of Baikal flora, fauna, lakebed and ecology are planned for two-year period. Over 60 diving missions will be performed within the first expedition stage.