VLADIVOSTOK, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Pacific Fleet has started a scheduled military exercise in the Far East, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement published on its website Monday.
According to the statement, the exercise began in accordance with its annual training plan for the Russian Navy and is being led by Admiral Viktor Liina, commander-in-chief of the fleet.
The drills, scheduled for June 16 to 30, take place in designated naval training zones across the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan.
During the exercise, participating forces are expected to practice a wide range of combat and support tasks, including submarine detection and tracking, naval convoy air and anti-ship defense, and coordinated missile strikes against both individual and group maritime targets.
Also, the exercise includes tests for the fleet's logistical and technical support capabilities while operating far from its main bases.
More than 40 warships, boats and support vessels, over 30 aircraft and helicopters from the Pacific Fleet's naval aviation, as well as over 5,000 military personnel and civilian specialists are taking part. Coastal missile units equipped with Bastion missile systems are also involved in the operation. ■
