In early August 2009, right after the 5-day war between Georgia and Russia, which ended with violated borders and Russian troops on Georgian territory, Russia began discussing the purchase of a French-built Mistral- class 19,500-ton amphibious assault ship. For the nations adjoining Russia, this was not pleasant news. Possession of a Mistral ship would significantly increase Russia's offensive options and the vulnerability of states such as Georgia or the Baltic countries in the case of attack. Selling a Mistral-class vessel to Russia appeared to be extremely hypocritical on the part of President Sarkozy's government, considering that this news arrived right after France had brokered the deal for a cease-fire between Georgia and Russia. As a result, I created a Diver emerging from the waves of the Black Sea, after blowing up the Mistral.
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On 3 September 2014, French President François Hollande announced the postponement of delivery of the warship, due to the Russia–Ukraine war, and later it was sold to Egypt .
