Russia starts military exercises of its Northern Fleet

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia on Monday started military exercises of its Northern Fleet, engaging up to 1,800 personnel and 80 units of combat and special military equipment.

"Up to 1,800 people, about 80 units of combat and special equipment, up to 10 aircraft, 15 ships, submarines and support vessels of the Northern Fleet are expected to participate," the naval force said in a statement.

The exercises, supervised by fleet commander Adm. Alexander Moiseev, are being conducted in the Barents, Kara and East Siberian seas.

They will assess the level of training of the command and staff of the fleet's Arctic Expeditionary Group in solving tasks to ensure Russia's security amid the threat of aggression and warfare.

"Coordination of tactical groups of ships and vessels, units and forces of the fleet will be tested," it said.

It is planned to work out issues of defense and protection of coastal civilian infrastructure facilities and facilities of the Northern Fleet, study possible areas of combat operations, conditions for the use of diverse fleet forces, and the use of weapons and technical means in the Western and Eastern Arctic Sea zones.

The engaged forces will also be trained in conducting joint special operations to isolate terrorist areas, block and destroy them.