Battling the elements and traveling the world means the life of a seadog has been envied for centuries. This week, I'll look at Russia's Navy, which, although it has been scaled down somewhat, still packs quite a nautical punch. I'll also tell you how the Voice of Russia got its name, and let you know what not to leave at home if you want to start work in Russia.

Q: Joe, tell us about the current state of the Russian Navy. I am especially interested in the Black Sea Fleet. – William Kerr, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

A: Russia has two aircraft carriers, and the United States has 13. We have 31 atomic submarines, the United States 98. We have 14 diesel subs, the United States 10. We have 81 large naval vessels, the United States 276.

The Black Sea Fleet is 218 years old. It has been divided between Russia and Ukraine, with Russia getting 80 percent of the vessels. Many of them are old and have exhausted their term of service. The fleets are based separately. The Black Sea Fleet is rearming and renovating; the old vessels will go to make room for new ships that are getting the latest arms. We plan a joint Russian-Ukrainian group of vessels to quickly react to any extraordinary situation in the Black Sea. The missile cruiser "Moskva" is the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet.

Sergei Ivanov, our Defense Minister, says there are no problems between the two fleets. But the press constantly reports friction and bickering between the two. The H.Q. is in Sebastopol. If you were to ask whether it is more prestigious to serve in the Navy or the other forces, I would say I have a feeling it is. The sea has always been associated with the unknown and adventure – or am I wrong?

Q: What does a Russian citizen have to present when he applies for any job in your country? – Babul Hossain, Rajashahi, Bangladesh.

A: When a Russian citizen comes to the personnel department, he has to write an application, fill in a questionnaire, write his biography, bring his service record book, if he's worked before, show his passport and military service card, diploma and state insurance certificate and give his tax payers number. I guess that's enough, isn't it?

Q: How did the Voice of Russia get its name? – Charles Edwards, Miami, U.S.A.

A: I'd like to ask you that. When I joined the station 58 years ago, it was called Radio Center Moscow. I couldn't understand why it was called the Center, when there was no other broadcaster. So I changed it to simply Radio Moscow. The other languages in time followed suit. Then, some years ago, some smart aleck at the top changed it to the Voice of Russia. Nobody could tell me why. Since they are very smart at the top, ask them...

Q: How is Boris Yeltsin doing these days? – Jonathan Murphy, Mallow, Co. Cork, Ireland.

A: Here are a few things that have stuck in my mind. Just recently he met Helmut Kohl when he came to Moscow and they embraced like in the old days. Yeltsin used to call him "my friend." The Duma allowed Yeltsin to appear in commercials. We've had Gorbachev advertising Pizza Hut. What will Yeltsin advertise? If he violates administrative laws he will be held responsible. Bat if he violates criminal laws, he still has his presidential immunity. The Russian Orthodox Church believes he was sincere when he asked to be pardoned for any mistakes he might have made. Oh, yes, he had a cataract removed from his eye. Today, his favorite game is not tennis, but billiards. I hate to say this, but last time I saw him on TV he looked kind of tired – I hope I'm wrong.

Q: Do you in Russia recycle newspapers, cans and plastic bottles? – Mervin Brame, New Bern, U.S.A.

A: The homeless and the poor dig through our garbage containers collecting glass bottles, which are washed, disinfected and used again. We used to recycle newspapers and magazines. A retired woman in our house collected everybody's waste paper, but not today. They've stopped, for some unknown reason. The Second International Congress and Exhibition on Recycling was held in Moscow recently. Eight countries and 123 companies and organizations took part, showing machines and equipment for recycling waste. Today, we in Russia lack the laws and profitable programs for recycling. I will sum up by saying that recycling in Russia is in its embryonic stage.

(E-mail questions to Joe Adamov at editor@russiajournal.com.)