By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - Russia announced on Thursday the completion of naval exercises conducted by its Northern, Pacific, Baltic, and Caspian fleets.
According to the Defense Ministry, units and formations from navy participating in the planned exercises within the operational areas of these fleets have begun to withdraw their forces.
The exercises were conducted under the command of Adm. Aleksandr Moiseyev, the naval chief.
The crews of the ships, which successfully accomplished their combat training tasks, will now return to their permanent bases.
The drills were designed to assess the effectiveness of military command and control bodies at all levels, as well as the readiness of the crews.
The exercises, which began on July 30, involved approximately 300 ships and boats, submarines, and support vessels; around 50 aircraft, more than 200 pieces of military and special equipment, and over 20,000 military and civilian personnel.