KALININGRAD, February 24 (RIA Novosti) - The Yaroslav Mudry frigate has left the Yantar shipyard in Russia's Kaliningrad Region and is heading to a Baltic Sea port to begin sea-trials, a shipyard spokesman said on Tuesday.

"The frigate will be accepted at the Baltiisk naval base, from where it will begin sea-trials in the Baltic Sea," Sergei Mikhailov said.

Construction of the Yaroslav Mudry has been going on for almost 19 years. The frigate is the second vessel in the 11540 Yastreb project after the Neustrashimy, which recently took part in an anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden.

The frigate is expected to begin service with the Russian Baltic Fleet in April.

According to the Russian Navy's official website, the Yaroslav Mudry "has a water displacement of 4,500 tons and can sail at a maximum speed of 30 knots, and is armed with missile complexes, antiaircraft systems, bombs, and a Ka-27 helicopter."