MOSCOW. May 27 (Interfax) - Over 20 ships, 25 aircraft and about 3,000 servicemen are practicing in the Baltic Sea, the Russian Baltic Fleet's press service said in a statement on Tuesday.
"The exercise involves over 20 warships, boats and supply vessels, among them a frigate, corvettes, missile ships and boats, anti-submarine warfare corvettes, minesweepers and supply vessels. Around 3,000 troops, some 25 planes and helicopters, and up to 70 pieces of military and special hardware are taking part in the exercise," it said.
"The Baltic Fleet is holding a scheduled exercise together with certain forces of the Norther Fleet supported by aircraft of the Aerospace Forces and the Moscow and Leningrad military districts in order to maintain a favorable operational situation and to practice defense of bases in the Baltic Sea by fleet forces," it said.
The ships will practice anti-submarine operations and protection from sea drones and will fire artillery at sea and aerial targets, the press service said.
"The ships have deployed from bases to designated areas of the Baltic Sea to accomplish training missions," it said.
On Tuesday, the Baltic Fleet released footage of forces' deployment for the exercise. The video features ships deploying to the sea and frontline bombers, fighter jets and helicopters preparing and taking off from an airbase.