Michael Kelley writes the first Mistral warship is set for delivery to Russia in October.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy inked the $1.62 billion contract for the two warships in 2011, according to the report.
Business Insider reports approximately 400 Russian mariners have begun training on the carrier since their arrival in France on June 30.
Kelley writes the U.S. and Britain have expressed disapproval of the deal following the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines MH17 over the Russia-Ukraine border.