MOSCOW, July 15 (Itar-Tass) - Six formations of different forces of the Russian Pacific Fleet fulfilled several training combat tasks to search for and find submarines of conventional enemy in the designated area of the Sea of Okhotsk during massive snap drills of the troops of the Eastern Military District, the press service of the Russian Defence Ministry said on Monday.
“The reconnaissance actions were taken by the search striking groups of warships with the use of underkeel, dipping and towed sonars. The warplanes Il-38 of the Pacific Fleet maritime aviation were used for the anti-submarine support of the tasks,” the Defence Ministry said.
Meanwhile, the warships continued to fulfil the task of the search for mines.
“Over a worse weather forecast in next three days in the Sea of Okhotsk and a possible rough sea up to four points, the warships and vessels of logistic support have provided the appropriate preparatory conditions to fulfil the tasks in the conditions of storm and a worse visibility,” the Defence Ministry noted. “The trainings of the officers on duty and signalmen on duty were conducted onboard the warships,” the ministry said.
The guards missile cruiser Varyag, big submarine chasers Marshal Shaposhnikov and Admiral Vinogradov, big landing ships Oslyabya and Nikolai Vilkov, the destroyer Bystry, small anti-submarine ships, missile-carrying cutters and logistic support vessels are involved in the snap drills.
Massive snap drills of the troops and the forces of the Eastern and Central Military Districts are being held on July 13-20 on the orders from the Russian president. About 160,000 servicemen, about 1,000 tanks and combat armoured vehicles, 130 warplanes of long-range, military transport, fighter, bombing and army aviation, as well as 70 warships and vessels are involved in the snap drills.