KALININGRAD. June 16 (Interfax-AVN) - NATO's intelligence services are closely following the joint maneuvers being held by Russia's Baltic Fleet, Airborne Troops and Air Force in the Kaliningrad region and in the Baltic coastal waters, an informed sources in the Baltic Fleet's Staff, told Interfax.
"NATO's intelligence operations cover the sea and air space," he said.
"The Baltic Fleet's air defense means regularly spot Gulfstream and Atlantic intelligence planes. Orion and Alster intelligence ships are active in the sea, observing virtually each move the Russian forces make," the source said.
The Baltic Fleet's press service has circulated a report on the active phase in the drill in which naval and land units started performing live firing drills.
The firing drills aim to hit air and sea targets in a simulated artillery and surface-to-air missile fight against surface ships of the simulated enemy, as well as in warfare conducted by single ships and air attack means.
Concurrently, the naval crews are practicing operations to search for and track the enemy's submarines, and conduct depth bombing and mine laying operations.
In the meantime, the land forces are holding live firing drills with the use of all types of firearms, grenade launchers, weaponry installed on BMP-2 armored infantry vehicles, on T-72 tanks and self-propelled artillery systems, and also conventional artillery and multiple launch systems, against targets imitating hostile track and wheeled vehicles and personnel.
The firing drill is proceeding in a complicated tactical setting with the use of a variety of means simulating the enemy, and also in an actual combat environment. The land forces get air cover from the Baltic Fleet aircraft which deliver strikes on the simulated enemy using airborne weapons.