MOSCOW. July 26 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian Navy Commander Vladimir Kuroyedov left for the Caspian flotilla on Friday, a source in the Defense Ministry told Interfax-Military News Agency.
"The Navy commander will check the readiness of the flotilla's personnel to the large-scale naval exercise in combating terrorism that is to happen in the Caspian Sea in the first half of August," the source said.
About 10,000 people, 60 vessels and more than 30 aircraft will take part in the exercise, the source stressed.
For the first time in the Russian history the exercise will involve all military bodies of the nation. Apart from regular military units, the exercise will involve units of the railroad troops, Federal Border Guard Service, Federal Security Service (FSB), Interior Ministry troops, Emergencies Ministry and Transport Ministry.
The theoretical stage of the training will take place from August 1 to 7, and the active stage is scheduled for August 8 to 15. Thirty-two vessels of the Caspian flotilla including its flagship Tatarstan will put out to sea to hold missile and artillery firing and landing operations and accomplish other missions. Warships will be supported by dozens of auxiliary ships of other organizations such as the FSB and Federal Border Guard Service.
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov will give a command to begin the exercise on August 8 while staying onboard the Tatarstan guard- ship.
Officials from all Caspian countries are invited to attend the training. In addition to practicing actions against terrorism, participants in the war games will rehearse prevention and elimination of environmental disasters, sea rescue and prevention of illegal drug import.
According to several reports, six Iranian surface ships are to take part in the training as well.