Major Drills Commence in Russian Navy, Involving a Large Portion of the Fleet
MOSCOW—Russia’s navy began planned exercises involving most of its fleet in the Arctic and Pacific oceans, as well as the Baltic and Caspian seas, the defense ministry said on Tuesday.
Russia is considered by most military analysts to have the world’s third most powerful navy after those of the United States and China. Russia boasts a significant ballistic-missile nuclear submarine fleet.
The Russian drills, which include 20,000 personnel and 300 ships, will test the readiness and capabilities of the navy at all levels, the ministry said. The exercises will include over 300 combat exercises, practicing the use of anti-aircraft missiles, artillery, anti-submarine weapons, and passive interference.
“Units and formations of the Russian Navy have begun conducting planned exercises in the operational zones of the Northern, Pacific, and Baltic Fleets, as well as in the area of responsibility of the Caspian Flotilla,” the ministry said.
“The main purpose of the exercises is to check the actions of the military authorities of the navy at all levels, as well as the readiness of the crews of ships, units of naval aviation and coastal troops of the Russian navy to perform tasks.”
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About 300 surface ships and boats, submarines, and support vessels, some 50 aircraft, and more than 200 units of military and special equipment will be involved in the combat training, the ministry said.
During celebrations of Russian Navy Day on Sunday, President Vladimir Putin cautioned the United States that deploying longer-range missiles in Germany could prompt Russia to station similar missiles within striking distance of the West.
Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has been conducting numerous military exercises independently and with other countries like China and South Africa.
Recently, Russia has also carried out mobile nuclear missile launcher drills and tactical nuclear weapons deployment exercises, as well as increased military training with Belarus, which shares borders with both Russia and Ukraine, engaging in comprehensive drills.
