The Northern Fleet began training exercises involving ships, submarines, aircraft and air defense systems. The main purpose of the maneuvers is to ensure the security of Russia's economic activities in the Arctic, the Russian Defense Ministry said. They noted that during the training, rescue operations, assistance at sea, crisis resolution, as well as the protection and defense of maritime communications will also be practiced.
The exercises are led by the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Nikolai Evmenov. The Ministry of Defense noted that at the first stage, the military authorities of the Northern Fleet, associations and formations, as well as individual military units of the fleet, were put on an increased level of combat readiness.
The deployment of nuclear submarines and naval forces of the Northern Fleet in the sea has already begun, and units of the army corps have also moved to the areas of concentration. In addition, the Army of the Air Force and Air Defense has begun to transfer forces to operational-based airfields in the Arctic and to build up the air defense system in the Arctic direction.
The military department noted that the command and staff exercises are the final stage of testing the Northern Fleet during the winter training period.
Alexander Stepanov
