MOSCOW, June 21-RIA Novosti. Warships of the Pacific Fleet (TOF), together with naval aviation, are conducting exercises in the Central Pacific Ocean for the first time in recent history, the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters on Monday.
The ministry said that the maneuvers take place in the Pacific Ocean, located 2.5 thousand miles (about 4.6 thousand kilometers) southeast of the Kuril Islands.
The exercises, in particular, involve the flagship of the Pacific Fleet, the missile cruiser "Varyag", the frigate" Marshal Shaposhnikov", the corvettes" Aldar Tsydenzhapov"," Perfect "and" Loud", as well as a submarine, the ministry said. Also involved in the maneuvers are anti-submarine aircraft of the Tu-142M3 naval aviation, which made a 14-hour flight with a total range of 10 thousand kilometers.
In general, aviation at the exercises is represented by 20 aircraft, in addition to the Tu-142M3, these are IL-38 anti-submarine aircraft, MiG-31BM interceptor fighters, IL-78 tanker aircraft and Ka-27 deck helicopters.
The ships and planes of the Pacific Fleet worked out a number of tasks involving the application of conditional missile strikes. The exercises are held under the general supervision of the Commander of the Pacific Fleet, Admiral Sergei Avakyants.
