MOSCOW. Feb 17 (Interfax) - Twenty ships of Russia's Caspian Flotilla have started maneuvers in the Caspian Sea, the press service for the Russian Southern Military District said.
"In total, about 20 combat ships of the flotilla, including the Dagestan missile ship, the Grad Sviyazhsk, Uglich, Veliky Ustyug, Makhachkala, Astrakhan, and Stupinets small missile ships, small artillery ships, coastal minesweepers, motor boats, and other support vessels are taking part in the naval command-post exercise," the press service said.
"In the near future, the flotilla's ship tactical groups will have to practice moving in one formation and repelling a mock enemy air raid. They will also simulate a sea battle and conduct missile and artillery launches," it said.
The flotilla's forces will also practice mine countermeasures and an operation to search for and destroy mines, involving "a live-fire exercise with their standard weapons," the press service said.
In line with the Russian Armed Forces' combat training plan for 2022, Russia's fleets are conducting a series of naval exercises in January-February under the supervision of Russian Navy Commander Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov.
The main goal of the exercises, which involve forces of the Navy and the Aerospace Forces, is to protect Russian national interests in the World Ocean and to counter military threats facing Russia in the seas and oceans.
The maneuvers are being conducted in waters adjoining Russian territory and in strategic areas of the World Ocean.
In total, the exercises underway in all of the country's fleets involve more than 140 combat ships and support vessels, over 60 aircraft, 1,000 pieces of military hardware, and some 10,000 personnel.