SEVASTOPOL. July 22 (Interfax-Ukraine) - The Breeze-2002 international naval exercise has begun off the Bulgarian coast.
The navies of several countries on the Black and Mediterranean seas as well as the U.S. Navy are participating in the maneuvers. The corvette Vinnytsia represents the Ukrainian Navy.
About 30 vessels and five planes of Bulgaria, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Ukraine, as well as vessels of the 6th U.S. Fleet, are practicing multinational cooperation in peacekeeping operations. The scenario envisions a search for and elimination of a nuclear submarine, tactical maneuvers, transfer of cargo while underway, vessel monitoring and artillery target practice.
Moreover, the exercise will feature practice in provision of aid to a ship in distress, towing of a ship, escort and protection of sea convoys carrying humanitarian aid, organization of universal defense, actions of patrol and deck aviation in combating the enemy's submarines and surface ships.
The war games will end on July 29.