Moscow. April 26. INTERFAX - Two large amphibious assault ships of the Northern Fleet, the Alexander Otrakovsky and the Kondopoga, remain in the Black Sea after major exercises near Crimea, the Russian military said on Monday.
"Large amphibious ships of the Northern Fleet continue to operate in the Black Sea in accordance with the plans for a long - distance campaign," the press service of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Federation reported.
In the exercises in the Crimea last week, the crews of the large landing ships " Alexander Otrakovsky "and" Kondopoga " worked out training tasks together with the troops of the Southern Military District, the press service reported.
The commander of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Federation, Alexander Moiseev, thanked the servicemen who distinguished themselves during the control checks during the winter training period, the press service said.
"Currently, the withdrawal of troops and forces that participated in the control checks during the winter training period continues. The units of the separate motorized rifle brigade of the Northern Fleet, which participated in the exercises at the training grounds of the Western Military District, are returning to the points of permanent deployment by rail," the Northern Fleet said.
On April 22, the main stage of the exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops of the Russian Federation took place in the Crimea. The maneuvers, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, involved more than 10 thousand military personnel, 1.2 thousand units of weapons and military equipment, more than 40 warships and 20 support vessels.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on April 22 that the exercises in Crimea were successful. Shoigu said that from April 23, the troops begin to return to their permanent locations. According to him, this applies to the personnel of the 58th Army of the Southern Military District, the 41st Army of the Central Military District, the seventh, 76th Airborne Assault and 98th Airborne Divisions of the Airborne Forces.
The relocation should be completed by May 1.
More than 50 planes and helicopters left Crimea after the exercise, the Southern Military District said on Monday.
On April 23, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that more than 20 ships of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation returned to their permanent deployment points after participating in exercises in the Crimea region.
The ministry said that about 40 military echelons will be deployed to relocate the Airborne forces from the Crimea, and military transport aircraft will make more than 30 sorties.
On April 23, the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation reported that large amphibious ships with marines went to the points of permanent deployment after exercises in the Crimea.
Earlier it was reported that large landing ships of the Northern and Baltic Fleets of the Russian Federation, artillery and landing boats of the Caspian Flotilla came to the Black Sea for maneuvers. The Black Sea Fleet reported on the relocation of about 50 combat aircraft to the Crimea.
The United States and European countries have previously expressed concern about the strengthening of the military group in Crimea and the movement of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine.
