MOSCOW, 10 Aug - RIA Novosti. The Arctic group of the Northern Fleet has embarked on a two-month campaign on the seas of the Arctic Ocean, including along the routes of the Northern Sea Route, during which several exercises will be held on the defense of Russian territories in the Arctic, the press service of the Northern Fleet reported on Tuesday.
"Today, the next campaign of the Arctic group of the Northern Fleet began on the seas of the Arctic Ocean. The event is held for the 10th consecutive year. The campaign will be held under the flag of the deputy commander of the Northern Fleet, Vice Admiral Oleg Golubev, " the message says.
It is planned that the cruise of ships and support vessels of the Northern Fleet will last about two months and will pass through the seas of the Arctic Ocean, including in the areas of the Northern Sea Route.
The campaign is carried out "to ensure the protection of the interests of the Russian Federation in the Arctic". The North Sea Fleet will take part in several exercises on the defense of the island and continental territories of Russia in the Arctic, as well as on ensuring the safety of maritime navigation and other types of maritime economic activity of Russia in the Arctic zone.
The participants of the campaign left the main base of the Northern Fleet – Severomorsk, passed through the Kola Bay and formed a marching order in the Barents Sea, after which they headed north. A few days before the launch, the crews conducted exercises on communications, logistics, assistance to a ship in distress, as well as anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and anti-sabotage defense.
The composition of the detachment at the first stage will be represented by the large anti-submarine ship "Severomorsk", the rescue and towing vessel" Pamir "and the tanker"Sergey Osipov". At other stages, the squadron will have up to eight ships and support vessels.