MOSCOW, September 25. /TASS/. Russia’s Pacific Fleet forces have completed the Finval 2023 tactical exercise aimed at protecting the Northern Sea Route, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"The Pacific Fleet’s Finval 2023 tactical drills, led by Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolay Yevmenov, have concluded in northeastern Russia. The exercise involved about 10,000 troops and over 50 pieces of combat equipment, including ships and support vessels, submarines, naval aircraft and helicopters, as well as Bal and Bastion coastal missile systems," the statement reads.

According to Yevmenov, ensuring security in the Arctic and protecting the highly important Northern Sea Route is a top priority. "The Arctic is called the world’s storehouse of mineral and energy resources for a reason. Our main goal is to ensure a safe environment for Russia’s activities in the region. This is why we hold such drills and we will continue to do so on a regular basis. We have enough capacity for that," he said.