MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Search and rescue operation services of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla within the framework of a snap combat readiness check of troops are drilling the organization of search and rescue support of actions of multiple-type fleet forces and surface action groups, the Russian Defense Ministry’s press office reported on Wednesday.

"The exercise involves rescue tugboats, comprehensive search-and-rescue support boats of the Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla, as well as search-and-rescue equipment, including unmanned and manned search-and-rescue submersibles, aircraft and helicopters of the Naval Aviation", the Defense Ministry said.

During the surprise combat readiness inspection the rescue forces provide support to the forces in the formation of the landing ships detachments, loading of troops and combat equipment, as well as beach landing operations.

The newest multifunctional rescue tugboats of Project 22870 - the SB-45 and the Professor Nikolai Muru, state-of-the-art multi-functional modular boats of Project 23370, as well as the AS-28 Priz-class deep-submergence rescue vehicle, are involved in the drills of the Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla.