MOSCOW. Aug 21 (Interfax) - The Russian Pacific Fleet has begun tackling practical tasks as part of a surprise inspection of the combat preparedness of the Eastern Military District's forces, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
The fleet's groups of ships, air force and coastal units are training at ranges in the Primorye Territory and Kamchatka.
In particular, the Pacific Fleet's guard missile cruiser Varyag, destroyer Bystry, and large anti-submarine ships Admiral Vinogradov, Admiral Tributs, and Admiral Panteleyev are currently holding maneuvers in the Sea of Okhotsk.
"The unit is acting in interaction with ships from the brigade guarding the water zone of the forces in north-eastern Russia and airplanes from the fleet's air force based on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Small anti-submarine ships, missile motorboats and minesweepers of the Pacific Fleet's main base have already sailed out of their home stations in the Sea of Japan," it said.
"Bal and Bastion coastal missile systems have already been deployed at the designated positions," it said.