Russia launches large-scale naval drill in Black Sea same day as NATO (VIDEO)
Some 20 warships, over 20 airplanes and helicopters, as well as the marines and coast artillery are taking part in the Black Sea Fleet exercise, Russian Defense Ministry reported. The war games launched the same day as NATO's military drill in the area.
Starting from July 4, the scheduled training maneuvers are
conducted in the whole of the Black Sea, the Ministry told
journalists on Friday, adding the drill is being carried out
according to international standards.
"The exercise plan involves performance of a number of combat
training missions, including destruction of enemy naval forces at
sea and organizing naval and coastal air defense," the
Ministry explained.
Under command of Admiral Aleksandr Vitko, the Russian military of
the Black Sea Fleet will also exercise in the search, detection
and destruction of imaginary enemy submarines.
Coordinated actions between naval forces, coastal units and
aviation are being practiced within the maneuvers.
"Coastal troops and the marines will drill battling with
tactical assault force, while airplanes of the fleet air will be
engaged in air reconnaissance and targeting "enemy" ships,"
the Defense Ministry said.
All units, warship and plane crews act in situations that are
very close to real war actions, Itar Tass agency reported.
"Senior officers improve decision-making skills in
fast-changing environment, designed by the exercise
scenario," said the agency source.
As part of the training on July 4, five Moskit and Malakhit
cruise missiles were launched, all of which reached their targets
with direct hits, according to the data. SU-24 aircrafts attacked
targets at sea.
On July 4 NATO’s annual Sea Breeze military drills kicked off in the Black Sea. Warships from several
countries, including Turkey and the US participated in the
exercise, which has been called a "direct threat" to Russia’s national
security by a Russian military expert.
NATO’s naval war games in the western part of the Black Sea will
be held through July 13.
In June, the Baltic Sea was the area for both NATO and Russian major military exercises.
NATO war games in Latvia happened amid high tension between the Alliance and Russia over the Ukrainian crisis, and was regarded as a sign of aggression by the latter. Russia then launched its Baltic drills in response to the joint NATO forces exercise.
