YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK. June 25 (Interfax) - Russian Pacific Fleet minesweepers have planted mines on the presumed routes of approach of a mock enemy's ships while practicing outside the Kuril Islands, the fleet press service said on Tuesday.
"Mine planting has been practiced at a fleet range off the Kuril Islands," the press service said.
According to the exercise scenario, intelligence provided information about the presumed routes of approach of the mock enemy's warships to the areas of marine economic activity, it said.
Pacific Fleet minesweepers, operating as part of the minesweeper group, "deployed to the designated area, dispersed into sectors, and placed training bottom and anchor mines for defense" before moving to the next episode's venue, it said.
The fleet is holding a bilateral exercise in the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk under the supervision of Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Viktor Liina on June 18-28.
The exercise involves about 40 ships, boats and supply vessels and up to 20 marine planes and helicopters of the Pacific Fleet, in addition to marine units and Bal and Bastion coastal missile systems, the press service said.