MOSCOW, Feb 1 - RIA Novosti. The Navy and the Aerospace Forces during large-scale exercises in January-February this year are practicing the protection of national interests in the oceans and the reflection of military threats from different directions, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday.
"In January-February, a series of naval exercises are held in all areas of responsibility of fleets. The actions of the Navy and Aerospace Forces to protect national interests in the oceans and to repel military threats from sea and ocean directions are being worked out. In total, over 140 warships and support vessels, more than 60 aircraft are involved in the exercises," Shoigu said at a conference call.
The exercises are not sudden, they are conducted in accordance with the Training Plan of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for 2022, the minister recalled.
These maneuvers will be the largest in the entire post-Soviet history of Russia, Admiral Viktor Kravchenko, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Navy (1998-2005), told RIA Novosti earlier. According to him, the last time "such powerful exercises" were held was during the Soviet Union. At the same time, the admiral believes, they should be arranged regularly.
