Russian Black Sea Fleet conducts military exercises off Crimean coast
Ships and submarines from the Russian Black Sea Fleet in annexed Crimea set out to sea to work on planned military training exercises, Kryminform reports, citing Black Sea Fleet Spokesman Captain Vyacheslav Trukhachev.
“Over the course of a few days, the ship crews will conduct exercises as ship strike, anti-submarine and mine-sweeping tactical groups in collaboration with the shore-based missile and artillery units, naval aircraft and the anti-air defense fleet,” he announced.
Trukhachev specified that the drills would involve roughly 30 ships and auxiliary vessels, as well as more than 20 flying machines from the Black Sea Fleet.
From 14-20 September, the armed forces of Russia and Belarus held the Zapad 2017 strategic exercises.
General Petr Pavel, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, said that the Russian-Belarusian large-scale exercises resemble preparation for a major war.