MOSCOW, August 6. /TASS/. Tank units of Russia’s Southern Military District stationed in Abkhazia have delivered strikes against a notional enemy’s amphibious assault ships at the Gudauta coastal range, engaging sea targets for the first time, the District’s press office reported on Monday.
"Armored units of the Southern Military District’s Russian military base in Abkhazia have hit a notional enemy’s amphibious assault ships in the coastal area of the Gudauta all-arms training range. Tank guns delivered fire against sea targets for the first time as part of joint tactical drills of an integrated combined arms force, air units and formations of the Black Sea Fleet of the Southern Military District," the press office said.
The tanks delivered fire from the positions sheltered by the mountainous terrain. The fire was adjusted by the crews of unmanned aerial vehicles. Interaction with the tanks was carried out within the system of the reconnaissance and firing contour of a large formation, the press office said.
Marine infantry of the 22nd army corps stationed in Crimea is acting jointly with the Black Sea Fleet forces as a notional enemy in the bilateral tactical drills. Marines are attempting to seize the sea coast in Abkhazia while the motorized infantry has been assigned the task to repel the enemy’s landing with the support of helicopters and fighter-bombers.
The drills are being held at the Black Sea coastal training ranges in Abkhazia, Crimea and the southern Krasnodar Region from August 1 to August 15. Overall, the drills involve more than 2,500 servicemen and about 600 items of organic military hardware.